larval stage

2 definitions found

larval stage - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  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]
  

larval stage - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  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.