Possible Duplicates:
What is the easiest language to start with?
What programming language should I choose for an independent study language?
Well as the title says what language is good for a beginner and for a hobby? I'll probably be making some games or desktop apps with a gui most likely. I'll be working in Windows and Linux. Oh and could you also give some links to tutorials for the language?
Python:
This is a subjective question.
We're used to see C as a starting language in schools/universities, but it varies a lot. Some are using Pascal (or were using it) and some are using scheme or Python.
In my opinion, buy yourself The C Programming Language and start learning C.
Python is a good all rounder. GUI wise Java / C# and Objective-C are good because of the tools available.
Lua is a good stepping stone; however it's for a much more advanced programmer.
For serious desktop application design and games I would go for C++, however try your hand at C# first since it has XNA for game design :D
I would say Python
This post lists out a few good tutorials http://stackoverflow.com/questions/207701/python-tutorial-for-total-beginners
cheers
This goes for both, beginner and hobbby: C#. I think the language is very easy to learn, there are many easy-to-follow-videos in the msdn.com network: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vcsharp/aa336766.aspx and you can do very useful utilities, games, etc.
Once you've got the grip on C#, I think you would enjoy coding in vBasic or Java.
All in all, I don't think there's an order for this, but I do know some are more complex, and therefor I'd advice you to start with C# for the fun and for the outcomes.
I would recommend a dynamically typed language like Python.
Python is multiplatform, has a very good online documentation, source code is usually easy to read (even if you aren't the coder) and it comes with "battery included" (has a extensive standard library). PEP20 - The Zen of Python resumes the spirit of the language.
In the documentation section of the homepage you can find a Tutorial, and others links like a complete specification of the standard library and language reference.
Note: I made a really nice post with a lot of links but since i'm a new user, i'm not allowed to post more than 1 link, what a shame. Edit: Now i could add the links =)
Since you mentioned Desktop, GUI, Games, Windows and Linux, I suggest that you also have a look at
If you decide on doing Web development then there are many good answers posted above.
It is a matter of taste. C seems to be the lingua franca of programmers and a great procedural language paradigm. My selfish mathematical bias goes for Haskell. I would recommend you to read "Programming Language Pragmatics" by Michael Scott or "Concepts in Programming Languages" by John C. Mitchell, for a good survey in different programming language paradigms.