It is practically impossible to teach good programming to students that have had a prior exposure to BASIC: as potential programmers they are mentally mutilated beyond hope of regeneration.

In this quote, Edsger Dijkstra, a pioneering Dutch computer scientist, critiques the BASIC programming language and its effect on students aspiring to become skilled programmers. Dijkstra argues that once students have been exposed to BASIC, their understanding of programming is fundamentally impaired, making it nearly impossible for them to learn good programming practices. He uses the term "mentally mutilated" to emphasize the extent to which he believes BASIC hinders their cognitive development in terms of writing efficient, structured code.

Dijkstra’s perspective stems from his strong belief in the importance of structured programming and the need for students to learn programming with a deep understanding of logic, efficiency, and the principles of software design. He felt that BASIC, with its simple syntax and emphasis on quick results, encouraged bad habits, such as poor coding practices and a lack of focus on problem-solving. In his view, this kind of early exposure would limit students’ ability to think critically and abstractly about programming, which is necessary for producing high-quality software.

The phrase "mentally mutilated beyond hope of regeneration" highlights Dijkstra’s frustration with the language's simplicity and the potential long-term effects on students' programming skills. This harsh criticism reflects his belief that programming should be approached with a deep understanding of algorithms, data structures, and logic, areas where BASIC was perceived to fall short. Dijkstra was an advocate for teaching programming in a way that encouraged rigorous thinking, and he believed that BASIC’s approach would lead students away from this mindset.

Ultimately, Dijkstra’s quote serves as a warning against shortcuts in programming education. He encourages a more disciplined, thoughtful approach to learning programming, one that builds a solid foundation in the core principles of computer science. Although Dijkstra’s views on BASIC may seem extreme to some, his emphasis on quality and fundamentals remains influential in the field of computer science education today.