please can somebody  advice me on which programming language to go for

try fortran or Prolog ^{just kidding}

It depends on what you want to do with the language. .

either Java or C# is suitable these days. (or both).

Judging from your question; you're a newbie; a JJD. Fela had a lot to say about the likes of you.

Listen to me.
Learn Beginner's All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code -- BASIC.

That is considered by almost all teachers the world over as the best, safest, and friendliest entry-level programming language.

It'll teach you how a computer thinks.

It depends on what kinds of programming you want be doing. For example PHP seems to best for developing basically web application while java is better when it comes to mobile application development. Although most modern languages are chosen basically not necessarily because of power (because any of them can be used to develop anything) but for personal preferences. As a beginner, you need a programming language that can really teach you how computer thinks. If you want to learn that with ease, BASIC will be the best choice. But if you think you are a very strong guy that will not be discouraged with bugs and debugging, Java or C# or any other modern language is cool for a start.

But please, you have to be ready to drink a lot of coffee and read while trying out few lines of code in the beginning.

Good Luck

Well for me that want to study computer science what are the things you think I can prepare for or looking forward to encounter with in the course of my study

To computer science in nigerian schools i think you better go learn fortran,basic,cobol and introduction to java and C++

Learn C#. its good 4 both desktop and web if u ask. It combines securty of JAVA with RAD of VB, sytax of C, OOP of C++

Dont mind me. Just learn c#. Its the best 4 u, 4 now.

hey, benfica, are you sure you really want to know? i mean the whole programming languages are great but if you like you can take on c++.
denguru.

I can link you up with some video tutorials you can use for your study.

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onadebi:

benefica,
like you i'm wondering what programming language to go for as well. In school-UNIBEN we were thought Fortran in my 1st semester this year,,, and i can tell you that it is a crappy language. I also have a foundational knowledge of how to use vb6.0 but i want to step up into something futuristic and robust. what i'm trying to say is this. Ya'll talk some good stuff, and i'll appreciate some advice on enlightening me on which language is better ; JAVA or C# (with reasons) I want to know before i go buy a book i'll regret later. cheers!!!

You need to go out there and do research. There are people who today work daily writing FORTRAN and do really well at it. It is a matter of you going out to research and understand where you would like to plug yourself in the industry. No one language is really better than the other, it is all a matter of preference.