What is best programming language to learn first?

Answer 1

There is no single best language to learn first. A variety of languages could be proposed as a first language, and most of them have been. If you only want to do one thing, you can just start with the language you want to use for that purpose (JavaScript for web, Objective-C for iPhone apps, etc.). For learning to program, in general I think that Python is a good first language, as it is simple, powerful, and popular.

Peter Norvig, Director of Research at Google, recommends Python or Scheme.

Trevor Blackwell, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, recommends Python.

Eric Raymond, a noted programmer and open-source advocate, also recommends Python as a starting language.

The idea behind recommending Python and similar languages is that the beginning programmer can spend more time thinking about what they actually want to accomplish, and less about the details of Java or C++ (e.g. "public static void main(String[] args)"). Also, despite being easy to learn, Python is a language that is actually used (by Google and NASA, for example).

Answer 2

Start with something simple... Python or Perl is a great start, both have large communities, good stable compilers and you can get a job programming in them.

If you're looking for career in programming C# and Java are the way to go, their still MUCH simpler than C or C++ and their is heaps of job openings with them.

I recommend either Python or C#