Best first programming languages

[a-4-year-old]

You're all wrong.

You are new. This means you want 3 things. You want it to be really easy to pick up, you want to be able to easily see immediate results from programming and you want it to be useful in the future.

For all that, learn javascript. It's turing complete, object oriented, practical and all you need to start is text entry and a web browser.  Samples of code are as limited as the web pages on the internet.  When you understand it well enough you can move on to whatever other language you want.

[jrgp]

For all that, learn javascript. It's turing complete, object oriented, practical and all you need to start is text entry and a web browser.  Samples of code are as limited as the web pages on the internet.  When you understand it well enough you can move on to whatever other language you want.

The problem here is that the only real area javascript is used for is web development, writing extensions for mozilla programs, and rarely scripting in video games. And since you're referring to web development (since you mentioned using a web browser), you first need to know HTML and knowing how CSS selectors work is extremely important. To make matters even worse, a good portion of code you'll find in the tutorials on the net only work in ie (or only in FF) since most JS tutorials really, really suck.

I'd suggest ruby or python. Seriously. You'll see immediate results and be able to create cool things with them almost instantly, without having to deal with the tangible hell that web development entails.

[Veritas]

You're all wrong.

You are new. This means you want 3 things. You want it to be really easy to pick up, you want to be able to easily see immediate results from programming and you want it to be useful in the future.

For all that, learn javascript. It's turing complete, object oriented, practical and all you need to start is text entry and a web browser.  Samples of code are as limited as the web pages on the internet.  When you understand it well enough you can move on to whatever other language you want.

JavaScript is the most kludgy language imaginable for the love of god don't do this

If you want to see immediate results, use a functional language like Python or Ruby. Even better, Lisp if you want to be a pro hacker.

[ds dude]

Do Python it's awesome.

The name itself should grasp you.

Pfft, Java and Ruby. Who wants to learn about a drink and a rock.

*Waits for The Geologist to randomly pop up*