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Programming is hard enough. Choosing an easy language like PHP may actually let you make it to the second one before giving up. It can also land you a job faster and this is where you actually start to learn and progress. Besides no language will magically turn you into a better developer, most people are not cut for this job and the rest can write good code regardless of the language they learnt first.

Hi, antych :)
I follow you on this site (and we vote identically almost in all cases), and this is near the first time i have to disagree with you.
What you said is true. But for youngest it could be bad to start from PHP.
Programming is all about thinking. And logic. And structures. Nowadays, its not really about algorithms, though its still good to know how maps are stored, what binary trees and linked lists are, and how you can use them.
PHP doesnt really teach.

So, if there is a boy who wants to learn programming i would recommend C. Or Pascal. Yes, Pascal.
And then - something to give ideas of OOP (NOT C++, in no case!).
And only then you can start making money with PHP.

And something on giving up. Its good to not to. So if somebody give up on C - is there any sense for him to become a programmer?

Hello :)
It's like putting new drivers into a Formula 1 car, sure if they make it through the training they will become great drivers, but most of them won't. Programming is hard and intimidating just like that. Meanwhile the demand for developers is high and they don't have to be all that brilliant. You don't need a race driver to deliver pizzas, just like you don't need experienced C coder to build web applications.
I believe that starting with the simplest and easiest language is better because it will allow more people to get into programming and make the trip less painful. PHP provides low learning curve and almost instant gratification, that's exactly what they need for encouragement, not bashing their heads trying to make their C program compile and work. And if they really have a knack for it they can pursue formal education and learn all the fancy stuff that makes us "real programmers" ;)

makes sense

It could be argued that knowing a language has nothing to do with algorithms, data structures, or design patterns. The same ideas and concepts can be learned and implemented in any language, honestly.

In response to this article, I disagree. It doesn't matter what language you learn first as long as you learn the same generic concepts that translates in any language. PHP is wonderful in that it gives you a lot of control, and is very expressive. I often find myself limited in ASP.NET because simple things such as reflection are not as easy to do, for example.

It's not that the generic concepts couldn't be learned with PHP, but a newbie programmer is more likely to use library functions of PHP for simple things like sorting an array or manipulating a string rather than writing his own routines to carry out those tasks (as he is expected to do in C). This may cause him trouble in the long run as he might not develop proper problem solving attitude. Also concepts like variable scoping, type safety should be introduced in the first language to ensure a smooth transition to any dynamic language.

Agree with this blog. Better use Java for Application development and then for small websites or small scripts use PHP, I don't want to imagine how hard is to maintain a mess of PHP scripts in a big system, Imagine Facebook gggeeezzz!!, I think it is an abomination.

I think you misunderstood my point. I never said PHP is incapable. I think it is unsuitable as a first programming language. As for your 'Java vs PHP' argument...there has been far to many debates on this issue so I'll not waste my time. But I think the millions of people around the world share your opinion on Facebook[I rest my case there].

P.S. Did you notice DZONE went down few hours ago? :-)

I went BASIC->Assembly->C->C++->PHP and now, of all things, Coldfusion. Explain that one.

I don't think the first language matters much for someone truly interested in learning how to program.

Maybe I misunderstand your point but if I have to work someday with PHP that day I quit programming career. Lets face it PHP has been a kitchen sink and is the most horrible language I have seen in all my programming career, I would prefer to use brainfuck than PHP even brainfuck got a desing, PHP doesnt have a design it was just a hack. maybe becuase is a hack that is the strong point of PHP so it is easy for hacks around.

I don't know how is Facebook architecture but I read that they use PHP just for the view or templates and the below layers as the middleware they are using Java. But Facebook still to big to maintain so I cant imagine the mess that is to maintain that PHP templates and if the system is complete made in PHP geez really poor guys that have to maintain that abomination.

Anyway it was a good read your article.

I'm guessing you're rather inexperienced, or spoiled, with languages then, if PHP is "the most horrible language [you] have seen". Try out some COBOL, or filePro, or Coldfusion. Brainfuck is just that, a brain fuck. Sure, things can be done with it, but theres no way in hell I'd ever take Brainfuck over PHP.

I think you should actually try out PHP before commenting on it.

In short, I disagree completely with every statement you have made.

lol no clue about PHP whatsoever, what a moron

Lol both of you are not agree because you both are already php fanboys.

I use the right tool for the job, If Im doing a Web Application(Difference is WebSite) I use Java or .Net, If I do a website I will use ColdFusion or Python/Django, If I do OpenGL graphics I use C. Actually I gave a shot to PHP like 4 years ago and I didnt want to touch it anymore.

Sorry but PHP is not the Holy Grail, It is just another ugly tool and another scripting language on a vast of computer languages around.

As I said I'm a neutral programmer sometimes I use Java sometimes Coldfusion or Python and sometimes C.

You're clearly NOT a neutral programmer if you tried it 4 years ago (probably before php 5 was out) and gave up. A neutral programmer can use neutral terms to describe a language, not "I'd rather program in brainfuck than PHP because PHP has no design." A true critic can spot the good and the bad and doesn't immediately jump on the hatewagon.

You're just burying yourself deeper and deeper. Modern PHP 5 development especially with MVC Frameworks looks nowhere near the crap most of people used to write 4 years ago. And PHP is THE tool for building web apps, pretty much the best there is. You show typical ignorance of a Java/.Net developer, meanwhile other people are running circles around you building more advanced and scalable web apps online in half the time. Mentioning ColdFusion is perfect example that you are way out of touch with reality of web development, just stop making a fool out of yourself.

And Antych do you think really someone need a clue to understand the stupidity of PHP?, Or it needs a rocket science to understand PHP?, So maybe what the people said about PHP is easy to do things is just BS, Geez. I think the moron is you.

I've been working with PHP4 some years ago nas still have some nightmare with many of his unpredictable behaviours.

I really disagree that it can be a recomended first language, ironically by the points he cites.
Because it's "specialized", it can bring some bad habits with programming, like coupling with logics and presentation.
The loosely typing can make a lot of confusion if the programmer is still a beginner and didn't consolidated the typing concepts.
There is also those global variables *sheever* which can make things even more confusing.
Finally there is the built-in libraries, which breaks the OO concepts and the newbie can't learn too much about modularity.

All said at the plenitude of my ignorance.