JavaScript. Even with its pitfalls and numerous headaches. The first language I learnt was JavaScript and it made it so much easier to learn others afterwards.
You have to deal with the syntax of a language regardless.
It's a lot easier to deal with that once you've learned how to program. This is why more experienced developers have an easier time picking up a new language.
They already know what purpose an if statement has or how to combine a few conditions and a loop to do xyz. These are things much easier learned in an environment that scratch provides you.
Ruby is a great start because it provides syntax, can be run locally on command line and also has many widely available examples you can read and bootstrap quickly.
C++ is the best language to understand the basics of programming, its not easy, but its not that hard either. It will make one's foundation strong from the get go.
I agree that C++ gives you a great understanding of programming, but I don't think that people with little or no understanding of programming should have to worry about types, compilers amongst other things. I feel that C++ is a great choice for your second, third or even fourth language.
11 comments
[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 38.9 ms ] threadWhen you don't have to deal with syntax and can concentrate on nothing but logical components it becomes much easier to understand.
It's a lot easier to deal with that once you've learned how to program. This is why more experienced developers have an easier time picking up a new language.
They already know what purpose an if statement has or how to combine a few conditions and a loop to do xyz. These are things much easier learned in an environment that scratch provides you.