What coding language should I learn first?

There is a lot of demand for a lot of languages, and if he's getting a job in the field he can pick up java in college.

Thank you! :)

@Invisible: Dude I run an IT consulting firm. Learn Java. If you know Java you can figure out Python, Ruby, etc.

Is Java harder than the others, in general?
Is it kind of like learning Latin and then all the other languages that stem from it are easier?

@1angrytitan: Exactly! If you can learn Java you can easily pick up Python, Ruby, Java script, etc. Java is the basis for all these.

@1angrytitan: Java is a bit closer to the machine's architecture, meaning you'll have to learn a bit more overhead before you start doing things. You'll have more fun with python, believe me, and for a beginner I think that's more important. Feel free to play with both and see how you like them.

@HoraceGreenley: Java is not the basis for those. C is.

@1angrytitan: This may sway you, since you are interested in AI: Python has arguably much better support for machine learning and AI libraries. Java is a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to that (and most things). And don't even get me started with how bloated web dev is in Java 😂

@Invisible: I realize that C is the basis for all these languages. Knowing Java makes you more well rounded developer. If you know Java the rest are easy to pick up.

In commercial settings Java is preferred because it more secure.

He's not trying to get a job for a tech giant in the next 6 months. Quit acting like he is. Let him learn Python on his own, and when he takes intro level CS courses, they'll almost certainly be in Java. He's only missing out by learning something he won't be taught at some point already.

@Invisible: I just did not want him to sell himself short

He's not selling himself short by going out of the curriculum