I'm doing the same thing and writing a blog at www.codepo.st. I don't think it really matters what language you start with. After a couple of months you'll find out about different languages and naturally find you way to ones that you like.
Ask HN: Which language should I start learning?
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Re: Ask HN: Which language should I start learning?
#12I doubt there is one objectively and universally "best" path to learning to program. What worked best for me, might not work well for you at all. In the end, my feeling is that any programming with a (reasonably mainstream) language is a fine choice. And by "reasonably mainstream" I basically mean any language that wasn't intended to be an "esoteric language." So even a less widely used, but still somewhat practical language like Haskell or Ada or Erlang is better than not starting at all.
That said, I think any one (or two) of C, C++, Java, Ruby, Groovy, Python, or Javascript would make a good starting point. All are widely used enough to offer plenty of community and support for beginners, none are so hard to learn as to be especially prohibitive, and all are used in industry and the F/OSS world to a fairly wide extent.
And if you put a gun to my head and asked me to name on recommended place to say, I'd say "C".
Re: Ask HN: Which language should I start learning?
#13Learn Java.
It is relative simple comparing to c/c++, so the initial learning curve is not steep. At the same time, JAVA (language and platform) is complicated enough to learn computer science topics. Eclipse is a great free IDE you can use.
After that, you can continue to learn other languages.
Re: Ask HN: Which language should I start learning?
#14Learn C - become a punter in C.
The hardest part is learning Pointers. It will take lot of time to become a punter in c.
With C you understand the inner details and working of programs and memory. Learning C is a fun ride - you play with Pointers.
Get involved with some Open Source projects that's built around C and heavily on Low level programming. Play with Beagleboards and make it your toy.
Re: Ask HN: Which language should I start learning?
#15From my experience (disclaimer: I love python :) )
C++ : would be too hard to learn on your own.
Python: That would be like gliding on clouds. But then, if it's your first language, you may never be able to walk on the ground again ;)
C: It would be a rut, and you will stumble a bit. It is low enough for you to understand what is really going on in there, but hopefully high enough for you to learn on your own. RECOMMENDED.
Java: Tried to do in too many words what python does. You will cross path with this mammoth surely in your future. But you do not need to do it now :)
You could also start with scheme and SICP. It is highly revered (by people I respect) as an introduction to computer science (the version from 2005 which is based on scheme, not the latest one based on python), but I have no direct experience and cannot comment on it. I plan to do it some day.
In the end, enjoy programming. Thats the only way to sustain years of computer addiction.
Happy Learning!
Re: Ask HN: Which language should I start learning?
#16I'd say C just like many others did.It helps you to know the programming concepts, and what happens behind the scenes w/o too much stuff. If you start with Python (though i love Python) , things get done , but you don't feel like working on complex languages. And as C++ is the starting lang at uni , basics of C would really help.
Re: Ask HN: Which language should I start learning?
#17Hope this helps (from another point of view)
http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/content/paperinfo/tpci/index....
Re: Ask HN: Which language should I start learning?
#18Python. It looks very much like what you would sketch on a whiteboard, and won't bog you down with machine details inappropriately early. Start here: