I want to start learning programming. What should I start with?

[Mnementh]

I wouldn't recommend BASIC today, because it's to old. I myself started with basic and assembler. Java is a very good language, but I would not recommend it as the FIRST language to learn. Java is mighty and easy to program, but the problem is you doesn't know what happens inside. I prefer today programming in Java, but because I used other programming languages, I have a basic idea what happens behind the scenes and that helps me to understand what I do. I would recommend some language with pointers: Pascal or Ada. Not necessarily C, because it's really complicated for beginners and instead of focus on programming you have to learn to avoid all the C-pitfalls that are waiting for you. Try FreePascal, it's available on http://www.freepascal.org/ for download. Try program normal first and if you feel sure with such programs try out Object Oriented Programming. It's the most common and useful paradigma today. After you did that in Pascal you can try out another language: C, C++ or Java.