A pointer (or reference, or just 'address') is a general concept that by definition is part of any language featuring mutation.
Any language that makes use of mutation for primitive constructs (not saying that's the case here specifically) needs an understanding of "observing/causing change" pretty early on.
Any language that makes use of mutation for primitive constructs (not saying that's the case here specifically) needs an understanding of "observing/causing change" pretty early on.