I'm not sure which language

[trefall]

Folks,
I'm not a computer person per se, but I've been around them for 30 years. I've come to realize that programming may become a lucrative business within the next 5 years in my area so I'm thinking of changes I can make now. I've never programmed before. I played with BASIC when I was a kid [30 years ago] but that was it.
I prefer Linux to Windows and I think the future will provide more business in independent Linux programs. Linux just needs more marketing toward the large business market.
My question is, for a beginning programmer which language should be first? C? My theory of education is that a strong foundation in the basics allows the more advanced topics to be absorbed easier. Any help is appreciated.

[darkrose0510]

Yeah I'd recommend C, you can do alot with it, and it'll give you a base which will make learning other languages easier. There's a few good tutorials around on the net to get you started, but I'd also recommend getting a copy of "The C Programming Language" by Kernighan & Ritchie, which is pretty much considered the C bible.

[ghostdog74]

Forget about C first. Learn how to program in Python. After you become proficient in it, you can start to learn other languages, C included.

[Kelby]

Python is a good lanuage, but if your are looking at this from a "business" point of view C/C++ is the standard, must know, language.

[drl]

Hi.

See also these sources:

Programming Language Popularity

TIOBE Software: The Coding Standards Company

Research publications and talk with practicing programmers about languages related to "... business within the next 5 years in my area ... " as you wrote.

Welcome to the fraternity, and best wishes ... cheers, drl

[robotichead]

Hi trefall, I am a mathematician (student), and I've been using C and C++, and I find it rather fun and useful to use crunching numbers (for example, newton's method).

[coopstah13]

C and C++ are great powerful languages, but they are not good languages for a FIRST language (it was my first language, but it wasn't easy, most universities have switched from using them as beginner/intro courses). Dealing with memory management is in my opinion, too difficult for a first timer. I think python is a great language to learn on, no memory management, weak typing, etc. I think its better to learn on something like this first, to get concepts of programming, before moving to a more advanced language like C++ or C.

[ivandn]

It may be hard to pickup C and C++ and actually get work, with no experience. I would start with something more entry level like PHP for web programming. That may help you break into the field easier. You may also find windows programming easier to get your foot in the door. If you really want to go for linux coding then python is an easy entry, and C would be a long term goal.

Cheers

[elija]

I would also suggest that you learn how to program as that is a skill that can be transferred from language to language.