Step 1:
Figure out what you want to code.
Step 2:
Find out what the best language is for that.
Step 3:
Learn that language.
If you choose a compiled language, the compiler and environment is something you are going to have to confront some time anyway. No harm leaping in right away.
Starting with AmigaBASIC will get you going and you can familiarize yourself with control structures,
while, do while, for, if else
assignment, algorithm, that sort of thing. Those a concepts that will see you through all the procedural languages. It'll even help a bit for functional languages too, but not so much.
C, C++, PERL, AREXX, BASIC, PASCAL, all procedural.
Scheme, LISP ... functional
REBOL, a bit of both.
As soon as you have the fundamental control structures and such, move on and get into the language you want to know. The sooner you learn the spelling of the language you want, the better.
MOST IMPORTANT,
Try to get in touch with a bunch of people who use the same language, and the same environment, and pick their brains.
