[Oni]

Recommending C++. Would not recommend Java.

[BurritoBeans]

I voted C++, as I've had the most practical applications with it alongside the fact that it can be used for lots of stuff. Games, programs for productivity, etc. can be done with it and its "fairly simple" (Don't take my word on this, I came off of C so it was probably a bit simpler for me) to learn. Also, if it's a bit tough, do like DarkMuse said and start with the parent language, just plain 'ol C - it's simple, and if you want to mess with it then you can just code on your PC, use it with an arduino, etc. without much trouble. My 2nd pick would have to be Python, it's funny to use to me but I do see a good few uses for it and it's not too hard.

Java, ehh, not a fan of it. And Visual BASIC, I mean it's nice and all but a lot more limited than something like C++. C# I have no experience with.

[XltSystem]

I would give my vote to python, it is very simple to learn and is very useful.It has a lot of useful and updated libraries and a good community.I would recommend it a lot.
C++ however, like others have stated, is not a bad option either. The language can be used for many things, however it is more difficult to learn than python ( in my opinion anyway) and does require some patience to learn.

I do not have much experience with java, but if you hate writing it then i obviously would not recommend it.
C# is good, but if you are interested in taking it, i would recommend c++ over it.
Good luck!

[Diego]

Recommending C++. Would not recommend Java.

Why wouldn't you recommend java? Isn't it good to have so you could have application development as a back up.

[Oni]

Why wouldn't you recommend java? Isn't it good to have so you could have application development as a back up.

Java would be my least favorite on the list.

[meow]

Why wouldn't you recommend java? Isn't it good to have so you could have application development as a back up.

Because of its popularity in the context of web apps and how easily beginners can create graphical programs, Java has become the most widely used "first-language" programming language. This, however, is a misguided attempt to make programming more fun.

When people learn Java as a first language and walk into learning any other programming language, they find it hard to write programs that do not have a graphical interface (which is a crucial skill), have no feeling for the relationship between the program's source and what the hardware would actually do (because of the fact that Java requires NO manual manipulation/control of virtual memory, etc whatsoever), and do not understand the semantics of pointers at all, which would make the use of languages like C or C++ way more challenging than it already is.

Java, instead of performing the reduction of complicated formal processes to a small set of primitive operations, encourages a programmer to approach problem solving like a plumber in a hardware store: by rummaging through a multitude of drawers (packages), you will eventually find some tool (class) that will roughly do what you want. The result of this sort of teaching is a student who knows how to put a simple program together, but does not know how to program. Furthermore, a further pitfall of the early use of Java's libraries and frameworks is that it's impossible for a student to develop a sense of the run-time cost of what is written because it is extremely hard to know what any method will eventually execute.

Does that answer your question?

[Diego]

Because of its popularity in the context of web apps and how easily beginners can create graphical programs, Java has become the most widely used "first-language" programming language. This, however, is a misguided attempt to make programming more fun.

When people learn Java as a first language and walk into learning any other programming language, they find it hard to write programs that do not have a graphical interface (which is a crucial skill), have no feeling for the relationship between the program's source and what the hardware would actually do (because of the fact that Java requires NO manual manipulation/control of virtual memory, etc whatsoever), and do not understand the semantics of pointers at all, which would make the use of languages like C or C++ way more challenging than it already is.

Java, instead of performing the reduction of complicated formal processes to a small set of primitive operations, encourages a programmer to approach problem solving like a plumber in a hardware store: by rummaging through a multitude of drawers (packages), you will eventually find some tool (class) that will roughly do what you want. The result of this sort of teaching is a student who knows how to put a simple program together, but does not know how to program. Furthermore, a further pitfall of the early use of Java's libraries and frameworks is that it's impossible for a student to develop a sense of the run-time cost of what is written because it is extremely hard to know what any method will eventually execute.

Does that answer your question?

Wouldn't this be the same with visual basic as it also allows easy creation of graphical applications.

[meow]

Wouldn't this be the same with visual basic as it also allows easy creation of graphical applications.

You aren't getting the point at all.. did you even read my post? Do I need to dumb it down to the level of a kindergartner so you can understand? The ease of creating graphical interfaces doesn't make a language bad as a first language.

Either way, to answer your question... yes. VB is similar to Java regarding all of the reasons of why it's bad as a first language. The fact that VB is exclusive to windows makes it even worse as a first language.

[Yung Lean]

My opinion.
It's not for someone else to decide on what you going to choose for your education which also will be your future.
Pretty sure you deeply inside know yourself what you want to do and learn.
Other suggestion usually drunk people tell truth and do things they always wanted to do but couldn't do being sober because they are too afraid. So get drunk and apply for a course that you think is the best while you drunk because then you really know what you actually want. ( Don't take this for real but yeah that could work really ) anyways if you don't like the course you will apply for you are able to change your course in first month of starting your education. ( Pretty sure you can do that at least I knew I could when starting my education )

[Satan]

My opinion.
It's not for someone else to decide on what you going to choose for your education which also will be your future.
Pretty sure you deeply inside know yourself what you want to do and learn.
Other suggestion usually drunk people tell truth and do things they always wanted to do but couldn't do being sober because they are too afraid. So get drunk and apply for a course that you think is the best while you drunk because then you really know what you actually want. ( Don't take this for real but yeah that could work really ) anyways if you don't like the course you will apply for you are able to change your course in first month of starting your education. ( Pretty sure you can do that at least I knew I could when starting my education )

I'm just asking for opinions is all.

Also knowing me, if I get drunk I'll somehow sign myself up for classes I can't even take.