Well, since I've learned at least four assembly languages, and wrote my first toy lexer at least 25 years ago, probably in Standard ML, by this standard I seem

Well, since I've learned at least four assembly languages, and wrote my first toy lexer at least 25 years ago, probably in Standard ML, by this standard I seem qualified to comment. It doesn't matter what the parser looks like under the bonnet. What matters is the utility it provides. One might otherwise similarly offer the advice to mine your own copper and grow your own silicon, these being equally essential activities for anyone seeking the ultimate in mechanical sympathy.