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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.
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