This applies to code as well. I worked on an internal PostgreSQL protocol driver for work and I've been focusing on understanding the binary message format insi

This applies to code as well. I worked on an internal PostgreSQL protocol driver for work and I've been focusing on understanding the binary message format inside and out, then the server state machine and query behaviour, and only then building a driver. Don't underestimate the value of time spent grinding the low levels for code that is fundamentally important to what you are doing. You come away with a much stronger understanding than if you just hack a solution, cargo culting some existing code and just shipping it.