Comment by crystal_revenge

I'm guessing the answer then is "no".

That's a ridiculous metaphor as well because building a compiler is a massive software engineering project that covers a huge range of essential skills. That metaphor would work for building a computer, but not a compiler.

Clearly it shouldn't be a requirement, but it is an excellent use of a programmer's time. I can think of no software project over my career that has improved my skills more than writing a compiler.