It varies due to how people have different habits and tendencies from each other.
And IMO, you can still be a button masher even if you know combos and Noel players are a perfect example of this. In CT, Noels who got the 6C > BC loop down will usually mash 3C out of desperation in order to do her Drive combo, and in CS1 and CS2, Noel players would spam D, more emphasis on 2D in CS2.
You have to know WHEN and WHICH button(s) to press depending on the situation at hand, which accounts for a handful of variables such as positioning, whether your opponent's standing or crouching, etc.
/2pennies