@nprofile1q... so the resoure requirements is is a big part why I say that I lean towards it being the case and not it outright being the case. Software is wonderful in that you need almost no resources to get started with it, while for many other engineering disciplines that's far from being the case.

But still, even if it's not "to completion", I think that "toy projects" are a good indicator of somebody willing to like, actually engineer stuff well and be proud of their work, vs somebody who "just does the job".