Consensus is: python/ruby, the "P" in LAMP (Heh. actually, the P" was perl or php). These 3 (including perl) let you absorb language syntax quickly so you can

Consensus is: python/ruby, the "P" in LAMP (Heh. actually, the P" was perl or php). These 3 (including perl) let you absorb language syntax quickly so you can start learning the disciplines of coding: - OO and basic FP techniques - composition, delegation vs. inheritance - test-driven, mock/stub dependencies, what are your edge and corner cases? - benchmark, profile, optimize where needed, (stuff like that)