[Captain Beyond]

If one wanted to start to learn computer programing what would be the best language to start with to build a foundation for learning how to write programs?

[TChris]

If one wanted to start to learn computer programing what would be the best language to start with to build a foundation for learning how to write programs?

Kind of depends on your eventual goals.

If you want to write small, usefull little things to help automate your work in Windows, I recommend Visual Basic. It's not real fast, but it's built into nearly everything Microsoft makes.

If you want to create web pages, learn HTML, Java, PHP, etc. (VBScript if you stick with Microsoft)

If you want to develop commercial software, you'll really need to invest in learning C++ or at least Delphi, IMO.

That's my $0.02 worth.

[dan1123]

If one wanted to start to learn computer programing what would be the best language to start with to build a foundation for learning how to write programs?

Python hands down. It is clear and doesn't get in the way, and doesn't saddle you with a bunch of concepts before you write your first line of code. The concepts you learn with Python are applicable to every major programming language you may want to move to in the future.