> Were the drop-outs all too dumb to learn programming?
Having tutored some of them - who all changed majors after the "flunk out" courses - the answer is a qualified Yes. I wouldn't call them stupid, but I would say that they just couldn't "get it". Just like some programmers cannot "get" pointers, many people just don't have what it takes to program.
Many people wanted to be a developer because it pays well. When they got into the introductory classes, they found that they didn't "get" it - and for the folks who dropped the class and changed majors - they could not get it. I'm not saying that programming is some magical career where rainbows flow out of unicorn's rear ends.
You're willing to question the ability of these students by saying "they couldn't get it."
You haven't examined the possibility that you couldn't teach it.
I don't want to question your intelligence here. I'm sincerely interested in your answer to the question: how do you know it's the one and not the other?
Here's some historical perspective. Before he became "The Great," Alexander's father Philip arranged for the young man to be tutored by Aristotle, who was already a world-famous academic. Philip was famous as well, for having his political enemies flayed or boiled alive. Imagine Aristotle saying to Philip, "Your son Alexander is a very bright young man. If he would only apply himself. B-"
Having tutored some of them - who all changed majors after the "flunk out" courses - the answer is a qualified Yes. I wouldn't call them stupid, but I would say that they just couldn't "get it". Just like some programmers cannot "get" pointers, many people just don't have what it takes to program.
Many people wanted to be a developer because it pays well. When they got into the introductory classes, they found that they didn't "get" it - and for the folks who dropped the class and changed majors - they could not get it. I'm not saying that programming is some magical career where rainbows flow out of unicorn's rear ends.