The answer to your first question is Python. It's a better language hands down, and you'll be a better programmer for knowing it. Now, I'm not a language zealo

The answer to your first question is Python. It's a better language hands down, and you'll be a better programmer for knowing it. Now, I'm not a language zealot so I'll answer your second question a little differently. It really depends on how you define "web programming". If your goal is to hack together a few scripts for standard websites, PHP is a nice easy language that you can learn quickly. If you're more interested in web applications, python will be the better choice for you in the long run.