Need help, Which language to learn first?

Question

I am an absolute beginner when it comes to computer programming. I have not learned any kind computer language yet, but I wish to get into a career in game/software development. I am in my last year at high school (age 17) and decided before I start tertiary education next year, I want to learn at least one language. I do have a good grasp of computers however, thankfully I'm blessed with a tech savvy mind, just not the programming side of it.

A few of my mates have told me to learn python or ruby but I've never seen a job application requiring a person with knowledge or skills in those languages, so unless python or ruby are good stepping stones for some of the more major languages, I'd rather not learn those.

Many many people say learn C++ because it's really powerful and versatile, but some also say don't start off with C++ because C# is better. Then some people say C# is really confusing for a beginner so start with C. Then some people say C is becoming obsolete and is hard for a beginner. It's almost to the point, it's more confusing for me to decide WHAT to learn rather than learning the actual language itself.

Please do note, I find programming very hard at the moment, and I would like a language that's useful/powerful, but not TOO hard to learn.

I've been leaning towards learning Java, but I want some assurance, or advice before I make that decision. Any help please?

Thanks !

Answer 1

I am going to go against the grain a little on this. I am going to suggest JavaScript. The reason is simple all of the other languages discussed to date are classical languages. Of these Python would perhaps be the easiest. That said JavaScript was designed as a beginners programming language, but that is not the reason I suggest starting with it. JavaScript is a language that if you are going to build web applications is critical but the paradigm it is built on is very different from these other languages. Almost every thing is handled differently from method and property visibility, to the way inheritance is done. Even name spacing is done differently. So you may ask if it is so different why start with it. The first reason is that it is the most used language in the world currently. Second, most of the basics of programming skills needed in the other languages can be taught with JavaScript. Finally it easier to start with JavaScript and transfer what you learn to other languages than it is to learn other languages and then pick up JavaScript because it does not necessarily follow the rules. Things like Closure, Prototypical inheritance, and the way parameters are handled can totally confuse those with preset conceptions. Java Script does have a class like structure called an object literal but does not have classes. This means that a JavaScript programmer has the tools to do classes when he goes to other languages. With out the preconceptions things like anonymous functions and the idea of a function as a value will not be so foreign yet you still have grasped the idea of functions and return values.

Answer 2

C is a good stepping stone towards several other modern programming languages, such as C++, C# and Objective-C.

Answer 3

you should start with c

Answer 4

Yeap "C" should be learn first. then others.