JargonFile/entries/larval stage.txt

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2014-04-26 10:52:28 -04:00
larval stage
2014-04-26 11:54:15 -04:00
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.