First computer language

[Matthias Heiler]

Rajiv Vyas <rajiv1 at gmail.com> writes:

> I am thinking about learning Perl (other possibilities are Python,
> Ruby and Lisp). This will be my first computer language. Any
> suggestions on which books I should buy for absolute beginners in
> programming and perl?

Before buying a book on Perl I'd spend two evenings going through the
free online tutorial on Python.  http://docs.python.org/tut/tut.html

After that you will be in a better position to decide what book to buy
next.  (Even if it happens to be a Perl book.)

Having said that, my personal favorite introduction to programming is
"Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" which uses Lisp as
a teaching vehicle and is online here: http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/

Good luck!

  Matthias