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[lordnincompoop]

From what I've heard, Visual Basic and other such relatives (Dark Basic, etc.) are the easiest to learn. C++ is the most widely used, apparently Python (a relative of C/C++) is the fastest to code with and Mindfuck is just plain weird. I myself am learning C++ because there's a lot of support for that around and lots of libraries and stuff. I tried Python first, but the tutorials were all too strange.

The IDE I use is Visual C++ 2010 Express, and it works well enough for my purposes.

[jaked122]

this might ruin you, but I personally like .net, C# specifically. however you may want to learn python first.

[ILikePie]

I second C#, it's easy to use, with or without Visual Studio, and .net makes it awesome all around.

[Muz]

No matter what answers you get, pick a language and stick with it. The worst thing that can possibly happen is to get confused and not pick any at all, which happens all the time with these questions

[Virex]

The other mistake you can make is to always stick with the same language. Learn coding in one language, then learn some more languages. It'll help you a lot if you don't force yourself to program a cross-platform compatible application in C++ (no offense to the C++ fanatics here) or a 3d-engine in python (again, no offense to the python fanatics)

[eerr]

Programming is an investment.

Will you put the time in, to make something great?

[MrGimp]

I started in C++ and now I am a web programmer and use XHTML/HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL.  Honestly, I am happier with 5 web languages I know (6 if you count XML...but come on) than I was with C++.  Yes C++ is powerful as all hell....but maybe its a bit too powerful.  Do you really want to deal with memory leaks or having to find libraries to do even simple things like string manipulations?  Isnt there a reason all these other languages abstract the hard parts away, or come with pre-included built-in libraries of functions useful in the context that language is programming in? 

We wouldnt advise someone to try benching 400 pounds their first time out, just so that it 'feels easier' when they go back to benching 200.  So why do we tell people to learn C++ first?  For me, it wasnt great advice....but hey, at least I can put C++ on my resume, and thats always good.  I say learn the 'easier' languages first, and only learn C++ if you're going to go into serious app development. 

[Virex]

I've had the same experience. Originally I started out with C++, but I couldn't really get into the language. More recently, I've entered a minor which taught us Java as part of the curriculum and that makes programming much easier. Currently I'm learning Lisp just for the hell of it and an assembly language for another course (which I could also recommend if you want to really get how programming languages work. It's quite simple to write something in assembler although you'll progress really slow). There´s no reason to lock yourself into C++ if you don't feel at home there.

[Grishnak]

I personally recommend NOT learning c/c++ first. It is very difficult if you have no programming experience what so ever. I recommend Python to atleast get started, the syntax is easy and human readable, its fast to learn, and fast to code in and its a generally great all around language.  Its also pretty damn fun too. If you want to dabble in c/c++ as well, you can write some extension modules for Python which can give you some experience in both.

Ruby is also another extremely easy language to learn, although I personally dropped it the moment I touched Python, but you can give it a shot.

You can also try using Lua for some scripting, as there are plenty of games out there that allow you to make mods with it (ToME 4?)


As for books, get any book for absolute beginners. Dont go for "beginning game programming" etc.. books, or any book that claims you can learn said language "in 3 weeks!", because they are all wrong.  I have a few ebooks for c/c++ and Python if you would like some names.  I also recommend getting the biggest reference book you can of your chosen language, because you CANNOT memorize every single aspect of your language, and reference books will help you tons.

Programming will infuriate you. You will get a bug that you just cannot figure out for hours. It will be something stupid and you will rage, but the moment you fix that bug, you will be the happiest person on the planet.  You will get irritated that you cant figure out how to do something. You will spend a lot of time thinking of "the best way" to do something. Realize that there really is no "Best way".  You will dream in code. When you shower, you will just think about programming. It generally consumes you.

And two final tips. Get an actually physical copy of at least one programming book. Get pissed off -> throw book at wall -> feel better.  And two, if you cant figure out something that "should be working", have someone listen to you explain what your code is doing. They dont even have to say anything, or even know anything about programming, hell, it could even be a doll. The act of your explaining how everything is supposed to work will give you that "Eureka!" moment, and your bug is solved. Ask any programmer, they will confirm this.


I hope not too much of this has been already said. Good luck!

[MrGimp]

You will dream in code. When you shower, you will just think about programming. It generally consumes you.

DELICIOUS CODE!!!  MOAR PROGRAMS!!!!!

[Alexhans]

If you're just going to do it for fun why would you want to spoil the fun with one of the most complex languages out there? 

I think you should check out python, c++ or some other that allows you to do what you want and see which one suits you and the time you spend with it. Try out the options, don't just take our word.  You'll like one and, if you like something, it's easier to learn with it.

ignore the egotistical programmers who will tell you what is the shit and just enjoy.  You'll have time to worry and experience what works and what shouldn't be done along the way.

[PLANKS]

Ah, the "what programming language should I learn first" question. Every time someone asks this, regardless of where, they get a large set of wildly different answers. As far as I can tell that still holds even if they ask the best programmers and programming instructors in the world. You know what that means? It means that, in all likelihood, that there's no obvious reason to prefer any of the usual suggestions above another, and you're fine just picking any mainstream language.

I recently asked this question, And tho i know nothing about programming to start off i chose to buy:
http://www.amazon.com/Primer-Plus-5th-Stephen-Prata/dp/0672326973/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291249120&sr=8-1
and
http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Through-Game-Programming-Third/dp/1435457420/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1291249120&sr=8-7

so yeah thought i put em in if anyone was interested they got great reveiws from alot of programming sites and such.. so hopefully should be good.

[lordnincompoop]

INTERCAL. Do eet.

[Frajic]

Programming will infuriate you. You will get a bug that you just cannot figure out for hours. It will be something stupid and you will rage, but the moment you fix that bug, you will be the happiest person on the planet.  You will get irritated that you cant figure out how to do something. You will spend a lot of time thinking of "the best way" to do something. Realize that there really is no "Best way".  You will dream in code. When you shower, you will just think about programming. It generally consumes you.

^ Exactly how I feel about programming. Still learning the ropes in Python, currently I know how to use loops, conditionals, lists and such, and some functions. Might make a game once I get some more experience. I hope dad will catch my hints and get me a book on programming/a Python reference book for christmas.

[qwertyuiopas]

INTERCAL. Do eet.

Unlambda?