Starting out programming

This summer I'm going to university to study physics. I thought I'd prepare myself a bit for this and so I thought it would be quite useful to learn some programming. I asked around to hear what people thought would be a good programming language to use in my education and I got answers from Perl, PHP, C++ to Pascal. Being completely new to the whole programming thing I naturally got quite confused. After some research I thought I would start on VB 6.0 as that seemed pretty straight forward. Later on, I thought, I could then move on to a language more suited to my needs. I have completed a 21 day course in VB 6.0 programming and that's about all the experience I have with programming.
My question is this: Should I stick with VB 6.0 programming to get more familiar with programming, and then later switch to an other language, or should I start looking for other languages straight away?
What would be the best language? C++, C++ .NET Pascal or anything else? Keep in mind I'm quite inexperienced, though I'm also keen to learn.

I'd look at VB.NET and C++ At the same time

My opinion:
Programming is a skill.
A language is just a language.

Would agree with namrekka. Better to pick one language, preferably one that is currently very popular (easier to find jobs, training, resources etc) and learn that one. Once you have learned any of these then it is relatively simple to learn any of the others.

My advice would be to forget VB as it is old hat now (although good to know the basics which you probably do now).
Go for VB.Net, it is a natural progression from VB and is very popular at the moment. Once yo uhave a grasp on that you could always learn C#.Net which is the Java-esque version and is the true Object-Orientated language in .Net

So in short...Learn VB.Net well, then move onto C#.Net if you can/want to.

Good luck, and remember to visit here as we will be happy to answer any questions you have :thumb:

Find out what programming languages they offer at your university as an elective. Physics may require one anyhow. Choose one of those to start learning yourself, then take the class when you get there. You'll get the jump start on classes you want and if you enroll in it, it will help you get through the class for an easy credit. I doubt the university has vb6, so I wouldn't suggest that.

Is any of the languages better at handling advanced math than others? I know VB is not the best choice if you want to make advanced math programs

Advanced math? Not sure as most will have the basic functions such as square root and so on. Off the top of my head I'd say either C++ or one of the .Net languages (probably c# is your best bet)

Math wise they are all about the same.

Im guessing the university physics will be using C++

c++ or c++ .NET? Are they very different?

i agree with just a me... it depends on the level of programmer on how he would attack a math prob using the language he is comfortable with...

wen i started programming, i first learn turbo c, then c++, then java... but wen i started learning vb, i kinda like it so i stick to vb...

bottomline is, use the language you like and what is available....