"Outsider art" - that's one of the best descriptions I've heard! You're absolutely right.

Thank you for the book recommendation. I've just downloaded "Crafting Interpreters" and will study it properly. I've been coding in isolation (due to circumstances I can't easily explain), so learning from established resources like this is exactly what I need.

The messiness comes from years of solo experimentation without mentorship. I'm now committed to cleaning it up using proper techniques.

I appreciate both the kind words and the tough love.