[frmneo999]

start with C..then to C++ to get a hand on experiance in OOPS..then to JAVA..That wud be abetter choice!

[fitzjj]

Use C++, Java or C# as a learning language, they are all similar in that they are object oriented - you could learn C but i think it is better to learn something a bit higher level first.

People will advise you otherwise but they are wrong. You could go down the BASIC route and it would be nice and easy, but at some point you will want to learn a proper language and will go and learn one of the above mentioned languages anyway. If you learn one of the above you will be able to program in most languages other than things like scheme and prolog, but theese are kind of different and more mathematically based.

C, C++, Java, C#, and for some reason VB are the languages people use in the real world and you will find loads of resources on them. I personally would recommend java, just because you can download everything you need from the java website, C and C++ also have free resources. C# and VB "kind" of require visual studio if you want to use them properly.

[Nikkon]

Java is a simple language for simple people. C/C++ will teach you the "guts" of programing and proper programming technique (ie how to use a pointer properly etc). I wouldnt recomend starting with Java.

[void]

To be ownest I wouldn't jump into C\C++\C#\Java they are hard languages if you had no programming experience before. I'd say its like jumping into the deep end before you can swim, it would be better to start in the shallow end first. You'll learn about programming but it could be difficult at first. I wouldn't suggest VB, you either love it or hate it, you choose. Look around at the different languages and choose what you like.
Examples:
C\C++
C#
Lisp
Perl
Python
Pascal/Delphi
Java
Visual Basic