Learn the command-line using BASH, then use BASH as your first programming language. The transition is seamless. BASH provides the three things you need to write a structured program:  sequence, selection, repetition. In addition, it has functions and the array data structure. From BASH move onto C. Learn the entire language along with most of the STDC Library (it's one of the greatest libraries of all-time). After C, the paths you can take are plentiful.

The simplest hello world program I've encountered (assume $ is the PS1 prompt)...

$ echo hello, world

On Sun, Feb 21, 2010 at 8:56 AM, Kevin Fries <kfries6@gmail.com> wrote:
Oh, I didn't realize we could go old school on this... Thanks Eric, that was just too funny

Kevin

Sent from my Nokia phone
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Cope
Sent:  02/20/2010 10:17:58 PM
Subject:  Re:

One vote for Fortran!

On Sat, Feb 20, 2010 at 9:14 PM, Alan Dayley <alandd@consultpros.com> wrote:

> On Sat, Feb 20, 2010 at 8:36 PM, Vaughn Treude <vltreude@deru.com> wrote:
> > On 02/20/2010 08:01 PM, keith smith wrote:
> >> I'm old school and would suggest learning plain old C.  Then you can
> branch out to other languages.
> >>
> >> ------------------------
> >> Keith Smith
> >
> > I second that. C is simple and versatile, and spawned off a whole family
> > of other language such as C++ and Java.
> > Vaughn Treude
>
> I would not describe C as simple.  It is a small language (low number
> of reserved words and operators) but it's highly versatile nature and
> closeness to the hardware makes it very capable and dangerous.  And so
> not simple, in my mind.
>
> It has been my bread and butter for 20+ years so I do love it.
>
> Alan
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--
Eric Cope
http://cope-et-al.com

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