> What is wrong with laying a solid foundation with the introductory class in C or Python, and then moving on to the more advanced OOP or functional worlds? Fo

> What is wrong with laying a solid foundation with the introductory class in C or Python, and then moving on to the more advanced OOP or functional worlds? For C at least, you have a hard time with the syntax on first exposure. Unless you want to teach the idea of "Grammar" as a concept as well. "Why doesn't the for statement have a semicolon after it?" is a common question. It's simply an irregular and ad hoc syntax. After working with freshmen learning C as their first language, I am confident it's a terrible starting point. Others might be worse, however. Given freedom, I would likely pick Scheme as a starting point, with SICP as the text. Regularity of syntax is extremely important - the only thing your mind really should need to worry about is how to reshape itself to the semantic demands of programming.