Personally, I would learn one language at a time. Once you know one language, I think it is a lot easier to pick up another language. For example, if you already know VB.Net, then you learn C# or C++, you will be able to pick up on similarities between the languages. If you try learning multiple languages at the same time, you might end up confusing the syntax between the two (or however many languages you are learning). At least that is how it would be for me.

Picking C++ or C or BASIC, ect... is something only you can answer. Give them a try and see which ones you don't like. Get Visual Studio Express for C# or C++, try the DEMO for DarkBASIC, maybe try Pyhon. Asking other people what is best for you will only lead to bias comments.

Quote:Original post by Jay935
I also have another question: Would it be a wise idea to learn a few languages at once, or choose one, go with it, and then move to another one?

Again this depends on largely on you, but in general it would probably be better to stick to a single language at least to begin with, and then expand into others once you've got a grasp of the basics.

Quote:Original post by Jay935
I downloaded Visual C++ 2005 Express. Darn Dial-up. Took me forever. I will be tring out DarkBasic and BlitzBasic later today. I will continue to learn Basic. Then I'll move on to C++. I figure 2 languages would be a little difficult anyways. Since I'm already learning Basic, I'll stick with it.

I ask people because I'm kind of wandering in the dark here. Hence the title of the thread. I just needed some advice.

Excellent! Seeing that you really aren't geared towards a "hit, next-gen" game, I suggest Blitz3d (uses BlitzBASIC, but allows you to create both 2d and 3d games) which uses DirectX 7. It introduces you to game design/programming, with BASIC (which you know the basics of). Along with the Blitz3d package comes a big tutorial file. It has 2d & 3d tutorials by various developers. It will take you to making asteroid clones, to pong, to small worlds, and even a full FPS. None of them have codes to a full game, but rather parts of it. The FPS example loads up a few models, lighting, textures, and a small world.
Blitz3d is probably the best way to go; DarkBASIC can be confusing for the beginner BASIC programmer. Good luck!
Oh, and I suggest learning Java after BASIC as well. I felt that C++ was a little too daunting, and Java somehow made sense. The syntax was understandable, and something just clicked. I'm starting small with small "games" like RoboCode. But, if C makes sense to you already, then by all means go ahead! Just don't swamp yourself with both BASIC and C++/any other language, unless you really feel you can do it. For me, syntax from BASIC got mixed with Java, and my Java programs kept messing up (luckly I have books and the Api docs).
It's one of those "whatever floats your boat"-kinda things.

Regards,