[SWLUG] Programming language for a dummy

[Vladimir Zlatanov]

I'm not so sure php is a good first language. It can introduce too many
bad habits :)

I personally would advise something like python or ruby. There are good
tutorials for both, but the development discipline is better. At the
hello world level there is no difference. The learning curve is not too
tough. Not tougher than php. 

I've introduced people to programming though scheme in the past. And Dr
Scheme, together with HTDP (how to design programs) is one of the best
learning environments I've yet to see. And you can always have some
entertaining and very educational practice with fluxus or gimp, scheme
is used a lot for multimedia  and live scripting.

Lua is good to learn if you are into game modding, although it is a very
qute little language, which can serve as a great introduction to
programming.

Javascript is quite sane for that purpose as well.

Learning php as a second or third language should be a breeze, but at
least there will be some hygiene involved. And don't do perl either :)
As much as I love it, I wouldn't inflict it on somebody who is not
prepared for it.