Programming languages (not asking for help!)

[Prankster]

Hi guys & gals,
I'm starting to program, I know a bit of VB6, some html, a bit of JAVA and some OPL (organizer programming language). I have been told that Python
is a good language to learn to program in. Is this true, if not then what should I learn in?
Thanks

pranKster

PS : I don't have linux.

[whackaxe]

depends what you want to do really i wanted to make windoze progs so i sided with C++ (with the borland free C++ compiler ) and i'm getting along quite well. but im not an extremly good programmer so my advice isnt worth much

[jethro]

Did you read the Python recommendatoin from Eric Raymond's text? Personally I don't know about its functionality as a language, not having much experience is it, but I think you should learn C++. It's just, kewl. That's the best reason I can think of, it's kewl.

[Valor]

I'm in agreeance with Jethro. C++ is kewl! And kewl things are just, well...kewl.

[Prankster]

Originally posted here by jethro
Did you read the Python recommendatoin from Eric Raymond's text?

Yeah, I got it from trere, I read thewhole file this morning. Anyway, I'll try out python and see how good it is, I do have C++ but I found it a little bit complicated for a first language. I'll have another go if I don't like Python.

[shadow]pranKster[/shadow]

[matnick]

Scheme (or another LISPery language) is good to learn early in your programming career. It has almost no syntax, Everying thing is in the form (<function> <arg1> <arg2> ...) so it helps you to concentrate on technique, rather than syntax.

More importantly, one of the best introductions to programming ever, "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" by Abelson and Sussman is written using Scheme. C++ and Java programmers should at least read to section on object oriented programming. Full text is available on-line:
http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html

How to Design Programs is another good one that starts a little slower:
http://www.htdp.org/

Dr. Scheme is a nice free, open Scheme package for beginners
http://www.cs.rice.edu/CS/PLT/packages/drscheme/

MIT Scheme is also good:
http://www.swiss.ai.mit.edu/projects/scheme/mit/


ESR (see http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html ) recommends learning Python. http://www.python.org/

I think Python makes an excellent second language after Scheme.

Learning Perl or BASIC (in any form) early in your career could cause more harm than good. Perl is useful once you have some experience. BASIC is a joke.

Learning C++ or Java early isn't worth it. You will spend most of your time learning the syntax than learning programming technique.