>>43
If you don't already have some minor programming experience before entering a university program in computer science then you probably deserve to lose. You should already be capable of thinking algorithmically (although obviously not necessarily good at it) by the time you take your first formal programming class at university, because this is something that shouldn't need to be taught, just as use of variables shouldn't need to be taught in mathematics at a university. It's also something you are unlikely to learn quickly enough to pass your first semester in computer science. Therefore the languages that university students should be learning are languages which expose them to the maximal programmatic experience.

If you want to learn how to think of and write computer programs, go to a community college or learn it in high school. University professors shouldn't need to waste their time handholding CS students. This doesn't apply to programming classes for people the natural or social sciences, since they're not expected to be talented with computers; however CS students shouldn't be taking those classes (unless they need an easy A).