Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

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}]