Don't read the entire VM spec. This thinking of knowing something inside out helps you how to use it is bunk. You don't have to know the how the rules of chess came into being to play chess.
Or you could go that way, and do it as the parent says, and end up like me, somewhat dazed and confused a decade later.
Just because you invented radio does not mean the programming you put on it is the best. Realize that programming(computer) is a skill that most can achieve only through rigorous grind.
There, I saved a few years of frustration to you. Knowledge is power. Amen.
I have to disagree strongly here. I do believe understanding something inside and out help you use it, and more importantly helps you invent new solutions, but I realize mine may be a minority opinion.
Then again, this is HACKER news and what I've described is pretty damn close to the core hacker ethic.
The two languages I call myself an expert at are Python and Javascript, I can say confidently that I wouldn't call myself an expert at the former without a damn good understanding of the entire language, data model, standard lib, and standard CPython implemention, nor the other without at least a decent grasp of the ECMA-262 spec, the knowledge of which comes into play more often than one who hasn't read it might guess.
Your chess analogy doesn't really make any sense, sorry. A better one is to understand how a car is built before you drive it. I think that might just make for better drivers.
Hopefully, the OP and those reading the discussion take away that you shouldn't stop at proficiency. Strive to know your stuff down to the bits. Don't become complacent; as I've read elsewhere here, Feel the incline, and walk uphill.
> A better one is to understand how a car is built before you drive it.
Yep, I agree. That is a better analogy. If you know how to build a car, you will be an expert at building cars, not driving them. I mean, how many of the better racing drivers are builders themselves?
If you always have to think about the how, the expression and the art suffers. Always. Human brain does not think in abstract logic, no matter how much you convince yourselves otherwise(may be except for some). It is always better at thinking intuitively.
Now, if you disagree, I would encourage you to keep posting. I like to discuss this. Not just to challenge you, but would like to know about the mistakes in my thinking.
Or you could go that way, and do it as the parent says, and end up like me, somewhat dazed and confused a decade later.
Just because you invented radio does not mean the programming you put on it is the best. Realize that programming(computer) is a skill that most can achieve only through rigorous grind.
There, I saved a few years of frustration to you. Knowledge is power. Amen.