>>14
I for one think Java is an excellent language to start with; it forces structure on the newbie programmer in a way that the more dynamic languages don't necessarily do.
You are insane. Java is a
terrible starting language
at least because:
- It forces you to memorize huge amounts of syntax, when you should be learning programming concepts.
- It rapes your brain with its perverted view of object-orientation.
- It
doesn't force structure on the newbie programmer. Actually most Java `CS 101' start by telling you how to cook glorified spaghetti code in the form of static-everything, only later adopting `object-oriented' design using inane examples and no reasoning whatsoever. This isn't strictly a property of Java, but it is apparently hard to teach otherwise.
- It is decidedly single-paradigm, and places severe limits on how the new students think about programmatic problem solving.