Comments on: Ask The Readers: Best First Programming Language to Learn?

I was just commenting on the following post at LifeHacker:
Ask The Readers: Best First Programming Language to Learn?

So you can either scroll down and find my comment or just read it here:

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You name it, and I've probably coded in it. That all said every language has its pluses and minuses, it all depends on what you want to do.

Now if you are just simply looking to learn how to program I recommend Python. Python has lots of power like most languages, but at the same time has a real-time interpreter that allows you to see results as you type them. Check out [python.org] they have some good links and good tutorials to get you started.

Now if you are looking for a more generic programming experience try a language like C, don't worry about C++ unless you really want to learn object-oriented programming and then I'd recommend Java. On the Java topic, Java is also great if you want to get into windowed programing (not Windows the OS, but application with GUI).

Now the three (4 if you include C++) I've listed are the 3 I primarily use since I develop for multiple operating systems at a time, so if you only care about a specific OS then, look at languages designed for that systems: VB or .Net possbily for Windows, or maybe AppleScript for Mac, etc. Also if you are looking to get into web programming start with something like JavaScipt and HTML.

Another thing, just because a language is a 'scripting language' does not mean it is not a programming language.

And again decide what you initial goal is first, there is no reason to learn VB if you never plan on working on a Windows computer, like-wise for AppleScript, and C++ won't help you much for web page programming. So as soon as you decide on your first project, then decide on a language. And after you learn one language, all the rest for the most part is just learning new syntax. That said, all programming is, is learning syntax.

Most of all have FUN! Coding can get tricking, be patient you can learn the basics quick but it will take a long time to be an expert so don't start over your head, there is a reason why most books start with the 'Hello World' program...