> How does one learn to write code like [Scott Dattalo] and Andy
> Warren, Dimitry, etc.? Just practice? Innate talent?

Practice, talent; of course.  But mostly it boils down to TRYING.  I mean,
we all might have a gut feeling that there would be "tricks" to squaring a
number (for example) that would allow it to be done more easilly than simply
multiplying, but how many of would take the time and effort to research the
math and tune the code...

BillW