Ask HN: Recommend first programming language to master (options included)

Re:Ask HN: Recommend first programming language to master (o... by DanielBMarkham on Wednesday March 10, 2010 @03:24PM (#1181865)

If you wander too often, you don't need a language, you need a purpose.

Find a project you're going to finish. One that's going to motivate you enough to go through all the work needed to build it and debug it. Then come back and ask us about languages.

Any language is great if you spend enough blood, sweat, and tears bending it to your will. No language will be good enough if you don't commit.

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Re:Ask HN: Recommend first programming language to master (o... by madrik on Wednesday March 10, 2010 @03:43PM (#1181916)

So, ends first, means second?

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Re:Ask HN: Recommend first programming language to master (o... by DanielBMarkham on Wednesday March 10, 2010 @04:01PM (#1181970)

Yes. If you wander, by definition you'll always have a difficult time learning any language. Whereas if you're able to focus -- perhaps by writing an app that you find compelling, perhaps by simple willpower -- then you'll actually master whatever language you're attempting, which will naturally lead you to learning more difficult concepts.

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Re:Ask HN: Recommend first programming language to master (o... by madrik on Wednesday March 10, 2010 @04:07PM (#1181984)

Acknowledged and appreciated. Thanks to both posters.

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