I wouldn't consider it cheating. It was either a stroke of luck, or MS wasn't really doing an especially good job of reviewing their tech questions. A big part of programming (in my book) is finding the way that works; using whatever path is required. If you peek through a hole in the curtain to do so, then that's fine. Knowing about the curtain, and the hole in it, is part of engineering.

I remember taking a photography class, where the teacher said "The first rule of photography is to cheat."

He was talking about doing something like walking into a brownfield lot in The Bronx, and taking a picture at an angle, so it looks like a remote wilderness, but I understood perfectly.

I regularly look up the most basic algorithms with Google, and StackOverflow is an integral part of my workflow. I've been shipping software since 1986. I'm thrilled to have all this information at my fingertips.

Of course, I need to do due diligence, and make sure I understand whatever code I crib (I also usually rewrite it, so it fits my style).

If you want to consider that "cheating," then knock yourself out. Whatever creams your Twinkie. I don't care, and I'll keep doing it.