Heres how I started:
Python -> C

Both good languages. But it's probably better to start with Python.

No experience with Python so I can't comment but for exploiting the main ones for exploiting are.... C, ruby, python, perl and assembly.

Now lets narrow those down for the noobs:
- C
- Ruby
- Python
- Perl
- ASM (assembly)

Now my reasons for counting out C and ASM as your first choices... a hell of a lot of people end up giving up/quitting learning C and C++ just because it takes a long time to learn and become fluent. If you can apply yourself then C or C++ are very good languages to learn if you can apply yourself. I'm not joking about it so don't go against what i'm saying thinking i'm "just saying that". Assembly is a low level language and takes a level of understanding about computers you have to get a grasp of, like very low level info on the architecture, how memory works within the microprocessor etc. No easy feat as a beginner and could put you off for life if you fail miserably, if you enjoy that kinda thing on the other hand then it may be worth looking into as a second language to learn after an easier one.

Ruby, Python and perl are used extensively in writing exploits, exploits for web app security, system and network compromises. Ruby makes up the metasploit framework. So may be worth considering if metasploit coding is your thing. Perl is like ruby, just a hell of a lot easier to get a grasp of in terms of syntax. Python, like I said I can't say a lot about because i've not looked into it.

You could always choose something completely off the wall like vb.net and code a trojan and be universally hated by anyone who knows any other language. I think lolcoder's would probably start hating.

depends on your intention, but:

high level interpreted languages like python and perl are good for general purpose stuff, you can have some really functional programs up and running much quicker than lower level languages, and the support and third party libraries make it easy to do whatever you need in a short amount of time. they are also generally easier to pickup (depending on design) and learn.

lower level compiled languages like c/c++ can be harder to learn and things can go wrong much easier, as not much abstraction is provided unlike higher level languages. however, they perform far more optimal and give you more control in general. they also make for great end-user targetted programs, as they can essentially have 0 dependancies. if you want to write a high quality, fast application/server of some sort, learning a language like this can yeild the best results if done correctly, but there is always the tradeoff of development time.

i think if you're interested in learning to code, it's best to at least learn both a lower and higher level language at some point. there's never a single goto tool for the job!

said:

Thanks guys i think i will stick with python then as you all seem to say that it is quite good. After hearing that i definitely done think that ASM is for me haha. Maybe C or C++ in future but not now.

Also does anyone have a kind of rough idea of how long it takes to fully grasp a language like python. I'm not impatient lol, just wondering.

Cheers for all the help guys! :)

I heard it bounced around a while ago if you sit down and commit to it you can learn in 3 months. That's solid study.

said:

Oh that isn't too bad. I won't be solid studying but i will be doing it regularly so maybe 4 or 5 months maybe more. Again thanks for the help, this will help me a lot :D

You can grasp the basics really soon in like 1-2 hours, then its just up to googling and researching the advanced areas. Depends how fast you are at learning

said:

Thanks :) I have been looking at youtube today for tutorials and have already picked up some basic info.

Are there any specific websites that you know of that could help me with the more advanced coding ?

The python's own website has good descriptions of its libraries, for example say you wanted to get into the networking and sockets you could google that. Also thenewboston on youtube does loads of good programming tutorials

Anyone wanting to learn this stuff needs to pay attention to M0rph, he knows his stuff. I'd say perl, if you want to be part of the 'new-breed' then python but i'd say perl is still the most used.

I'd suggest learning a C language (C or C++) and a scripting language (perl, python or ruby). It will stand you in good stead for a lot of the hacking 'fields'.

php is a good language to learn, it's commonly used. I know HTML isn't a programming language, but a mark up text, but HTML would also be handy to learn. With the combination of HTML and php, you can create a decent website.