> so a new entrant can't even easily bootstrap their knowledge This is where the pointer analogy works. You don't need to use, but by knowing what a f pointer

> so a new entrant can't even easily bootstrap their knowledge This is where the pointer analogy works. You don't need to use, but by knowing what a f pointer is, you increase your knowledge about the domain as you've put, by knowing the difference of "pass by reference vs value". And messing up an app does not put "owns" finances at risks. But may put others by tons of different ways of bad written software (if released or used anyway). So you have more responsibility with software because it MAY affect others and not just yourself blowing your own money.