What programming language to choose for a beginner?

Python. Use on the WEB to while versatile enough for the General Outlook. Has a consistent design and is inclined to impose the "good style", in contrast to the same PHP. In General, all that is necessary for learning.
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If torchic — you can see and terrifiedto see where all legs are growing :)

I started with Turbo Pascal, then Delphi. Although Delphi for understanding OOP is too complex.

Also advise python. Universal language. And application programming, and sysadmins (scripts) and web (django), and mathematics (scipy). A bunch of modules, so as not to reinvent the wheel.

if I want to learn normal programming to start with PHP is not necessary. Yes the language is very easy to learn in terms of web able all that is necessary, etc., but then go to normal/"correct" language will be harder than learning from scratch. So if you want a simple to learn and not time-consuming language — choose Python. Get a beautiful, concise and simple code, quite a lot of versatility(in comments above painted) and most importantly experience that will allow in the future to move on to more serious languages.
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If even so stay on PHP, koterova quite good books. Although if you know English it is better to read the original and the latest literature.

If you want to study with a view to the web view PHP:
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— Relatively low entry threshold. To start you just need to download Denver + any code editor with syntax highlighting and you can already start writing.
— A huge amount of documentation, articles and books in Russian. A lot of forums where you can ask a question.
— Lots of ready made scripts that you can study.

If you want to understand the principles of programming, then clearly — S.
He is the head of everything. Great and mighty.

support Python. For a start — it.
Worse is implemented in PHP OOP, it is better to choose if you know exactly what programming will be under the Web.