What is the best programming language to start with?

[Jdrew]

What is the best programming language to start with? I am thinking of finally getting back into learning programming again! My end goal is to make a simple platformer but I don't know what language to start with. I know a bit of JavaScript but over all I will have to start completely fresh. It will also be 2D.

Other things I want to be able to do is make personal websites in HTML/JavaScript which shouldn't be too hard as HTML feels pretty easy to learn. Though I want to know what you guys think before I go and do something on VB or in python. Hopefully this project will keep me entertained for the summer

[rakiru]

HTML is not a programming language - just making that clear to start with.
I often recommend Python as a beginner's language, as it can teach you the basics, but also has libraries to do a lot of stuff for you, so you're not instantly overwhelmed. It's also pretty easy to set up and get going with. After that, you can either continue with Python, learning to use some of the more advanced libraries to make a game, or pick up another language fairly easily, since by that point you should have a general understanding of how to program.

Alternatively, you could try making games in Javascript using the canvas API and stuff, but I haven't tried that personally, so can't really give any advice on it.

Do NOT use Visual Basic - if anything, use C#. It compiles to the same thing, but isn't retarded.

[danhezee]

Ardunio, make lights blink, go from there.

[learn_more]

Ardunio, make lights blink, go from there.

arduino is pretty fun to start with, but you need to buy extension boards otherwise shit gets boring very fast :)

[DrDeuce]

There isn't really a perfect 'beginner language' but I have started learning java from no experiance what so ever. And it's doing pretty good, I'm already working on an RPG.

But, in total honestly, I'd go for LUA. I hear it's pretty simple. But if you want a more common, robust and flexible programming language for java

p.s Java and JavaScript are different languages by different people - javascript is for coding websites

[ThisFrickinSite]

Python is a really good choice.

[VladVP]

I'd go for LUA.
JavaScript

Python is a really good choice.

LUA is not a programming language, but a scripting language.
JavaScript is not a programming language, but a scripting language.
Python is not a programming language, but a scripting language. (Even though there is py2exe)

Get it right, noobs!

[ponce]

Actually a lot of people learned to program with some BASIC and made what they wanted that way before moving to other languages.
I always recommend http://www.basic4gl.net/ but the C language can be a right fit too.

This is a personal opinion but I wouldn't recommend a first language with too much objects, dynamic typing or even functional programming. #1 goal is to be comfortable, create and not getting discouraged.

[GreaseMonkey]

Lua is not a fucking acronym.
VladVP, you're talking shit, scripting languages ARE programming languages.

Start with Python. I am an expert, and some of people here are just talking shit. (Apparently it's the minority that are full of shit. My bad.)

[Totenkopf]

Only hardcore, only assembler.

[DrDeuce]

I'd go for LUA.
JavaScript

Python is a really good choice.

LUA is not a programming language, but a scripting language.
JavaScript is not a programming language, but a scripting language.
Python is not a programming language, but a scripting language. (Even though there is py2exe)

Get it right, noobs!

JavaScript is obviously a scripting language, but I didn't recommend it - I stated it was for webpages, dummy.

And java is really a programming language - if it isn't then what is??

[VladVP]

Lua is not a fucking acronym.
VladVP, you're talking shit, scripting languages ARE programming languages.

Start with Python. I am an expert, and some of people here are just talking shit. (Apparently it's the minority that are full of shit. My bad.)

Then why the hell is the language called a programming language, when the language files are called scripts?

JavaScript is obviously a scripting language, but I didn't recommend it - I stated it was for webpages, dummy.

And java is really a programming language - if it isn't then what is??

At what point did I mention Java? o.O

[HermanCain]

If I was you I'd start with Ked. As stated in this short introduction it doesn't have much in the way of object orientated capabilities, but I feel it's a good place to start.

http://adam-lynch.github.io/ked/

[DrDeuce]

Lua is not a fucking acronym.
VladVP, you're talking shit, scripting languages ARE programming languages.

Start with Python. I am an expert, and some of people here are just talking shit. (Apparently it's the minority that are full of shit. My bad.)

Then why the hell is the language called a programming language, when the language files are called scripts?

JavaScript is obviously a scripting language, but I didn't recommend it - I stated it was for webpages, dummy.

And java is really a programming language - if it isn't then what is??

At what point did I mention Java? o.O

You claimed that I claimed that JavaScript is a programming language. JavaScript and Java are different things, oh nooblord of the nooblands of noobius IV

[rakiru]

Fuck Lua (not LUA, you fucktards).

Scripting languages are programming languages.

Arduinos get boring without extension boards, which drives the cost up quite a bit. You also need to think up some interesting projects to work on.

JavaScript is not for coding websites. Yes, it can be used to do stuff client-side on websites, and yes, it can be used to do stuff server-side on websites, but so can, say, Java, and pretty much any language can do the second part.

You claimed that I claimed that JavaScript is a programming language. JavaScript and Java are different things, oh nooblord of the nooblands of noobius IV

You mentioned javascript in a thread that asked about programming languages - that's why he picked it out.