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 ChroniCCase 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]