Another post from the Python-Brazil list, where we discussed which language is best to learn for programming:

I agree that Python is a great language as a first programming language. But not everything is Hello World and often the professor or course coordinator tries to introduce Java or C++… to make future courses easier. Example: introducing a Java monstrosity in ICC, only to fine-tune it in an object-oriented course. Others do not know Python or dismiss Python as a script.

Some colleges are also haunted by fatalists who preach the teaching of market languages. When I was at college, I learned Pascal, C, Java, Modula, Prolog, MIPS Assembly, and other creatures. None of these languages were taught directly, but in the context of ICC, data structures, operating systems, etc. Already back then there was a ghost saying that we should learn Word and others were praying to Prolog. The idea was that we should learn the languages ourselves, they only gave us a good reason :-D

I went to college after working for a while, after a technical course in computer science… 18 years later I have a personal view. I believe that the best thing is to learn and have contact with as many languages as possible in college. Preferably, languages with different paradigms.

Python is very good, but if it’s the only one, we’ll be repeating the same mistake.

I believe that programming in only one language is like speaking only one language.

I defend Python as a first language because it’s one of the easiest to learn. In addition, the return on investment for Python is excellent. You can reward the student, as this feels happy knowing that he can do something useful himself. With C, many give up, because the initial effort is great and the impression is that the work does not pay off.

ICC with Java or C++ is terrorism :-D