I just warn you... I think the impulse is to look at this software and think "ok this stuff is kinda rough around the edges. I know, I'm gonna write my own IDE

I just warn you... I think the impulse is to look at this software and think "ok this stuff is kinda rough around the edges. I know, I'm gonna write my own IDE and Compiler and all that in my own language of preference, and use that instead." Do not do this. Learn their tools, their way of doing things, and really try to immerse yourself if you want to learn. Write your own FORTH. It really is a religion with strict opposition to unnecessary abstraction and complexity to a degree that will put most contemporary programmers off balance. If you go in with an open mind, you'll get a lot out of it.