larval stage

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.