[MrLobster]

Originally Posted by Heartless

Learn C/C++ at a first.

Benefits are clearly that you learn the inside on how programs work - learning Java or Delphi or VB or C# first hides a lot of the real world and common knowledge from you.

My option is delphi (which uses pascal as a base), its as fast (and sometimes faster) than C++, and its less cyptic (code is more plain english). Also you can find literally thousands of websites with code, turorials and addons for delphi such as

http://www.clootie.ru/ - This is a site for using DirectX 9c in delphi, it also has demo programs too.
cc.borland.com/community - This is a for C++, C#, Delphi and JBuilder(java)
www.torry.net - Loads of componants for delphi and coding tips too.
http://www.sourceforge.net - Loads of applications and with source code

Those are a selection of the ones I use the most.

Borland are now putting all their C, VB languages into the Delphi IDE, so you can do C++ code and delphi code with the same compiler!

I can hear a new head and shoulders type advert "Do you take two compilers with you in to the shower? Not any more with Delphi!"