"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"

This quote by Edsger Dijkstra is referring to the problem of teaching good programs to trainees who have had prior direct exposure to BASIC. He thinks that these trainees have actually been "psychologically mutilated" by the language, which it is almost difficult to reverse the damage. He suggests that BASIC is a language that does not teach excellent shows practices, and that it is challenging to teach students who have actually been exposed to it how to effectively set. He thinks that these students have been "psychologically mutilated" which it is beyond hope of regeneration. This quote is an alerting to educators to be aware of the language they are teaching their trainees, and to be knowledgeable about the prospective damage that can be done by teaching a language that does not promote good shows practices.