Recommended programming language for newbies?

[bored2k]

I have close to zero knowledge on programming and started reading some C books. But I read somewhere that's not a good place to start, specially for a *nix user.

So to all you Gurus, wich program should I start with and [if possible] can you link me to a good "X" language guide ?

bored2k

[unkwn]

I have close to zero knowledge on programming and started reading some C books. But I read somewhere that's not a good place to start, specially for a *nix user.

So to all you Gurus, wich program should I start with and [if possible] can you link me to a good "X" language guide ?

bored2k

http://www.python.org/doc/Intros.html
http://www.python.org/doc/current/tut/tut.html
http://diveintopython.org/toc/
http://hetland.org/python/

[az]

"specially for a *nix user."

Huh? Some of the same people who made Unix, made C.

[ssam]

on my physics degree we had a module in programing and they thought C was a good idea. for people who hadn't programmed before it was a very scary start.

it mostly depends on what you want to do. if you want to make interactive webpages then learn javascript. if you want to automate linux then learn bash. if you want to write a kernel then C. most gui programs are writen in C or C++.

I learnt to program in BBC BASIC. it is very little use for doing any real programs today, but it was a very good introduction. I recoment you try a high level interpeted language first, to learn all the concepts. Then if you want to learn C you know what variables and various types of loops do etc.

posably python

Once you know one programming language it is easier to learn more. A good programmer is one that understands how a program should be structured, what data need to be where, how to interact with users, not the syntax of every single C library function.

[wtd]

I think Ruby's a fantastic language to start with, and there are a number of good resources online for learning it. I'd list some, but you'll probably get more and better results just hitting Google.

I'm also really liking Haskell lately.

[bored2k]

Ive been hearing good things about python. I think I'll give it a shot.

thanks y'all.

[kleeman]

No!!!! Use FORTRAN: better by a country mile! 8) 8) 8)

[bored2k]

No!!!! Use FORTRAN: better by a country mile! 8) 8) 8)

... Im going to give Python a shot until proven by -several- people that there's better for newbies [for newbies, not overall] .

[jayded]

... Im going to give Python a shot until proven by -several- people that there's better for newbies [for newbies, not overall] .

Python or Ruby are good places to start.

[bored2k]

Python or Ruby are good places to start.

Ok ... so far Python's up like 6 - 1 [this thread , others , websites] .