I'm not that old (got home internet in my teens). But got an old c64 from my uncle when I was in primary school. It came with a stack of magazines. In them was all this code you had to copy paste to get a basic game. I don't remember exactly but I don't recall I had anyway to save them either. I don't have anything to add, but you just made me think of a neat memory.
I personally learned to program before widespread internet access, so know it’s not at all a requirement.