It was the introduction to programming at MIT from 1980. Almost nobody born in 1962 had any programming experience whatsoever when they got to college. Even when SICP was being phased out at MIT a decade ago (heck, even today), there were many smart students without any programming experience when they get to college. Maybe even the majority, even at highly selective technical schools.
It was not and is not necessary to have extensive programming experience to get into a good engineering college in the USA. (Arguably middle schools and high schools should place more emphasis on the subject, but that’s not where we are today.) Many of the best professional programmers I know were first exposed to it in college. Some were first exposed to programming after finishing college, and taught themselves.
It was not and is not necessary to have extensive programming experience to get into a good engineering college in the USA. (Arguably middle schools and high schools should place more emphasis on the subject, but that’s not where we are today.) Many of the best professional programmers I know were first exposed to it in college. Some were first exposed to programming after finishing college, and taught themselves.