larval stage

n. Describes a period of monomaniacal concentration on coding apparently
passed through by all fledgling hackers. Common symptoms include the
perpetration of more than one 36-hour hacking run in a given week; neglect
of all other activities including usual basics like food, sleep, and
personal hygiene; and a chronic case of advanced bleary-eye. Can last from 6
months to 2 years, the apparent median being around 18 months. A few so
afflicted never resume a more normal life, but the ordeal seems to be
necessary to produce really wizardly (as opposed to merely competent)
programmers. See also wannabee. A less protracted and intense version of
larval stage (typically lasting about a month) may recur when one is
learning a new OS or programming language.

