[savingaurora]

I'm really into computers and I'm looking into start learning programming. I've delved into Basic (which i know is really nothing) doing microcontrollers. but it was very basic. So it doesn't really count. I want to learn to program and I want to start on Linux. Can anyone direct me to which language i should start off with. If so what books should i look into. Please remember I'm very new to this.

So please any help
-thanks
drake

[danbuter]

If you plan on working mainly with Linux, I'd recommend starting with Perl. Then C. If you want to do lots of web stuff, learn Javascript and XHTML/CSS.

[savingaurora]

Mainly linux. I've always been interested but just confused with all the choices. For a while i wasn't sure what to choose only because i'm running Osx and Windows Xp also. But i've come to the conclusion that if i had to choose a platform it would be linux. and i only want to do actual aps not web (thanks anyways though) So yea I do have a lot of books on C so. But thanks i will try perl.

-drake

[danbuter]

I should add in Python works well on Linux, and is a really good first language. I'm working with it, and it's pretty easy to use and pick up. Just one more option for you.

[Freston]

Also, I think you will not regret putting some effort in Bash

It's the language of the shell, or more precise: Linux defaults to the Bash shell
Many system files are therefor written in Bash. And although the language has it's limits, it's certainly quite powerful.

So something to get you started:
Bash, Bash again
Perl
Python

[danbuter]

Just something else I thought of regarding Perl and Python. Both languages are pretty much acting in the same area, they just approach it from different angles. You would probably be better off learning one or the other. Check out their webpages to see which you would prefer.

[Cabhan]

Anything that you learn on any system will apply to all of them. C, C++, and some of those languages will use different libraries, but the language will be the same. And languages like Perl, Python, Ruby, Java, etc. are all platform-independent (there are a few platform-dependent modules, but these are fairly rare), and so can be used anywhere.

Python is a popular language for new programmers, particularly on Linux. I personally don't know it, but I hear very positive things from those who started with it.