Dijkstra assumes that students will already have been exposed to imperative languages before joining university, and will appreciate the change. I think that this assumption might leave behind students that have not yet been exposed to any programming (that stuck).
Over in the UK I certainly hadn't encountered anything more complicated than html before I hit university, and was very happy with sticking with Java for the entirety of first year. I had been exposed to C++, ADA(!), Prolog and had an in depth look at Erlang by the time my course finished...
Over in the UK I certainly hadn't encountered anything more complicated than html before I hit university, and was very happy with sticking with Java for the entirety of first year. I had been exposed to C++, ADA(!), Prolog and had an in depth look at Erlang by the time my course finished...