[ale] [OT] First Programming Language for Adult??

[Tom Freeman]

My apologies for using up people's bandwidth for something not really 
linux, but this list is the best resource I know of for access to computer 
people with an insane breadth of backgrounds and opinions. And they are 
willing to share.

A few days ago my daughter asked for an opinion as to a computer language 
for her to learn. No, she doesn't have a project in mind, which would have 
at least focused the discussion a little bit. She is a university 
librarian, however, should that have any bearing on the discussion. She 
has access to a moderate amount of materials for "Alice", which apparently 
her school uses for programming introduction.

My advice, which should be considered highly flawed, was to take advantage 
of the "Alice" materials as a first, quick step. Follow that with perhaps 
either some work in Python or Java, with the Java due to her constant 
involvement in tiny web projects.

If the Python or Java settles, and the itch continues, I was suggesting a 
second language, possibly data base oriented for the library work, or 
something derived from either FORTH or LISP for the mind expansion 
properties. As yet another alternative - cshell(?) since she prefers the 
macintoy.

(I had a relative utterly in love with FORTH and 
very good at it also. Unfortunately, he thought _everybody_ should program 
in it... Not a very successful idea unfortunately.)

The multipart question here seems to be:
1) Is there a proper solid resource for building some programming skill 
that I should have know about and don't?
2) Did I suggest a moderately reasonable approach in the eyes of people 
who _actaully_ program?
3) Is there probably a better approach I should have known about?

Thanks to all for the use of their bandwidth.