Forums - Open Redstone Engineers

I am beginning to dabble with programming, and was wondering what is the best language to begin on.

The best language to start with is the one you like. That is, and always will be, my opinion.

However, if you want something 'easy' before that, I'd recommend Python or Javascript (which has no relation to Java!). These are interpreted languages, which makes it pretty easy to change, and you don't have to wait for a compile cycle. Though, for small programs, that isn't really much of an issue.

Lisp is another interesting one, but it's unlike most other languages today, although there is at least one modern language based on it. (Clojure)

The most common languages nowadays are C++ (yay!), Java (Ugh.), and C# (Java, only for Microsoft), I think. But, once again, choose what you like. And if what you like is BrainF**k or Whitespace, then I won't stop you. Just think carefully about those decisions.

Just beware that if you want learn Java in the future, I wouldn't learn Python first, it's an amazing language but it puts you in the opposite mindset to learn Java (In my experience). Java might seem tough at first, but that's only really because it takes a while to set up a development environment for the first time.

I think Javascript would be best. I haven't learned it completely myself, but it's closer to Java than Python and you can easily run it on different computers in a web browser.

My favorite is brain**k NOT
Actually my favorite is python, just really simple to understand for me.
Doesn't require much syntax (my opinion).

Definitely the correct first language is Haskell.

This is the haskell logo btw