It’s also important to note that you might come out ahead in learning those abstract concepts using a harder language.
But my first language was Pascal. from a book stolen from my dad’s library. Then C++. I still wouldn’t call myself anything other than an amateur… I mean, my dad can do more with one line of C than most programmers can do in their entire career. (he really shouldn’t. but he does. Calls it “job security”.)
I promise… it’s just enthusiasm!
even the linux-from-scratch snobs are usually pretty decent (really it’s only when it’s their first time out of the server room in too-long a time). I usually try to switch it up to something like "have you tried playing The Battle for Wesnoth. (it’s a turn based fantasy strategy game that’s… uhm. surprisingly good.)
mostly… I tell people who are using linux that I use linux, too.
The sudden moment of awkwardness when you realize they’re using ubuntu and might run back to microcrap because you came on to strong is real.
there’s three qualifications to being a testor:
Finding stupid ways to break shit, Being able to accurately explain how you broke shit, and being likeable enough that breaking their shit doesn’t make the devs angry.
Clickety Clack, Clickety Clak, …you won’t go back…
Well. yes. it does strongly depend on what you intend to do with it.
Python is a great language that’s very broadly used; there’s a reason that Apache added the python API; after all. (and why Scala is plummeting.) I wouldn’t even say Pascal was all that useful, to me. I think I ‘learned it’ enough to get through the dumb book, and then went on to something else. C++ was more fun anyhow.