I have an idea for a long term plugin project for Maya, which is the creation of a particle engine, similar to that of Nucleus. I learning Python and C++ on my own time, but I'm not sure if M3L would be a worthwhile investment for this as well.
Do any of you guys have pointers for learning the Maya API, related to particles? As well as good technique recommendations when developing a plugin? Depending on how much access the API gives me, I will either have to just port or link up code, or attempt my own rewrite of the nucleus solver/nParticle system 
As a side note, does a project like this seem feasible, or completely rediculous?
Thanks in advance,
-MR