C++ is a great language, I've been using it for 20+ years. Don't try an learn it as a first language, it will destroy you.

C#, VB, etc are really cool languages, but the sheer volume of library functions is enough to put anyone off.
Python also has a lot of libraries and again this can cause issues when it come to learning. Also (since I guess you ultimate aim is to learn C++) it has a number of un-C++ like areas that might cause you issues when you try and move over.

JavaScript is probably quite a good place to start. It has no cost, Firefox and notepad will get you going and you can get quite complex with it. I think it will be quite easy to get to grips with thinking like a programmer, which is what you really need to learn, not the language, also its quit C like. (see www.w3schools.com)

I have been working with JavaScript quite a bit lately, between some Appcelerator mobile work, using JavaScript server side with Node and even writing a HTML5 w/ cocos2D tutorial series. So I've put a lot of thought recently in JavaScript / HTML5 as a beginner platform.

First let me say, JavaScript is a much maligned language. It is much better than many people give it credit.

That said:

- most of the tutorials are really bad.
- much of the language is really bad.
- HTML/CSS is a right stupid platform.

These three combinations make it very hard to recommend to a beginner.

The biggest negatives to JavaScript are:
- it's FARRRRRRRR to easy to create globals.
- data hiding is crude at best

Actually those two are reason enough for me to recommend a new developer stay away, but there are more reasons. One, it's not a classical OO language, its a prototype based language, and there are very important differences. This isn't a "bad thing", but it is a confusing one for new developers, especially new developers that want to move on to 4g OO languages. There are some downright confusing aspects too... the rules around super and this are almost byzantine enough to make the C++ designers blush!

Then there is HTML5, which is a gigantic hackjob of a platform. You can make it work, and it can do some powerful stuff, but a new developer shouldn't be hacking out things just to make it work.


Dont get me wrong, I like HTML5 to a degree, and JavaScript is actually quite fun. I just wouldn't say that's true for a beginner.





.... still better than C++ though.

If you do go the JavaScript route, there are two books that should be on your must buy list. JavaScript:The Definitive Guide followed by ( seriously followed by, this isn't a beginner book, but it's the closest thing JavaScript has to Effective C++ ) JavaScript:The Good Parts. Warning though, the author in the second book comes across like a gigantic dick. You know it's a good book when I read it and thought "Wow, this guy is a massive arrogant prick"... but still finished it and recommend it to people! Oh, plus it's short and cheap. I reviewed both of them earlier, and these books are pretty much all you need to work with JavaScript should you decide to go that route.

I recommend Head First : Java 2nd edition, it will hold your hand all the way to using Objects. The book is very interactive with lots of illustrations. Although you know, if you are someone like me that likes to procrastinate and do everything but something productive it can be difficult to learn by yourself.

I can say many times that I'd read a chapter and almost always close my eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Thankfully I went into CS at school to push me into learning more.