If you want quick result (and motivation), then try BASIC-based programming languages. It''s more (IMO) basic and easier to understand, and it''s great for you to grasp the concept on programming. Just be extra careful when you are transitioning to C/C++.

I''m afraid if you go direct with C/C++, you might being fustrated and de-motivated for not understanding it within some short time frame. If you are one hard-headed and well-determined, there''s nothing wrong with going C++ as your 1st language.

This path worked for me:

BASIC->PASCAL->C/C++

Basic -> PHP -> C++ was my line.

I wouldn''t really recommend C++ to start with, especially if you know nothing about programming. Too many little things that you need to do, and you will have no idea why. Basic is nice to start, and learn to use conditions, loops and statements. C++ will probbaly bog you down with all the commands, and you wont learn so easily the programming structure. IMHO anyway

fry

learn c++ for sure. its my first language which im learning right now. It''s not too hard, im up the the part about pointers, which alot of people say is a hard concept to grasp, but its not as hard as they say. It''s actually pretty simple.

And once you know c++, you would be able to program any other language without much effort as you will only need to learn new syntax but the programming concepts are the same in most languages

I think C++ is great. However, I would recommend learning just plain old C. It''s a great way to learn the syntax without having to worry about the "++" stuff. I personally started out with BASIC and found it quite difficult to move to the C language.

I learned small bits of Basic, then Visual Basic, then some real programming[1] via (simple) C and C++.

That means nothing.

Different languages are suited for different tasks. In the case of game programming, there are no clear-cut choices, and (most) people who tell you otherwise are bigots, liars, or simply uninformed (though there are, of course, special cases). I should think that Python and, by all means, Basic family languages are good beginner''s languages, and perfectly viable languages for game development - save that when speed becomes an issue, interpreted languages like these tend to perform poorly. (For a beginner, speed will not be an issue.)

I think a more important criterion is the student''s aptitude and learning style. C and C++ are probably more difficult languages, but on the other hand they are much more widely used in game development than, say, Python (not necessarily much better, but probably much more widely used), so other languages might risk being reduced to mere intermediate steps.

I''m not going to make any substantial recommendations, but merely debunk some of the more prejudiced claims. Personally (and very subjectively) I''d recommend C++, but only because I think it''s ''nice'' and because it is widely used (and thus very viable).

[1] I''m not saying that you can''t do "real programming" in Basic (you can), but I can''t and couldn''t.

[sarcasm]
learn basic then c++. When i first started out i had alot of trouble learning c++ then i learned basic and python and it boosted my IQ 50 points! Now c++ is simple to me!
[/sarcasm]

Seriously though learn c++ as most game programming guides are intended for that language as it is a great language for beginners.

I''ve tried pascal, java, basic, and C++ and consider C++ to be the second easiest and the best.

I picked up the basics of C++ pretty easily, the syntax just worked really well for, although I still have a bit of trouble with pointers.

I found java to be too object orientated, most begginer programmers use procedural programming and the benifits of OO arn''t realised until later.

I never liked basic, the syntax just didn''t seem right to me and I''ve only really looked at basic code a couple of times.

I really love pascal and would reccomend it as the best newbie language. The only disadvantage is that most libraries that you would want to use for gaming are written for delphi, and I wasn''t willing to pay for another compiler (already had VC++).

C++ is definitely not a language you should learn to start programming. You should get the idea of "oh! that''s programming!" before start learning C++.

Flamewars don''t make you look smart, but idiot.

If you want to seriously program in the future go ahead and start C++. It''s by far not the easiest but you''ll be glad you have a headstart. If you just want to program for a hobby go ahead and learn BASIC because you''ll find yourself with results faster and with less effort.