larval stage

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.

[Jargon File]