<p>I can’t comment on the “profit” part, but I personally like Ruby, Java, and C++ as first languages. Here’s why:</p>
<p>Ruby: I think this is the easiest language to learn. It’s very forgiving, the syntax is intuitive, and the documentation is excellent. Ruby on Rails is becoming very popular for web development and might be marketable. Ruby is strongly object-oriented.
[Ruby</a> Programming Language](<a href=“http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/]Ruby”>Ruby Programming Language)
[Documentation[/url</a>]
[url=<a href=“http://rubyonrails.org/]Ruby”>http://rubyonrails.org/]Ruby</a> on Rails](<a href=“http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/documentation/]Documentation[/url”>Documentation)</p>
<p>Java: Java is a very common language that I found pretty easy to pick up. There are lots of resources available (you could even use an AP prep book for the recent AP CS exams).
[The</a> Java Tutorials](<a href=“JDK 20 Documentation - Home”>The Java™ Tutorials)
[Amazon.com:</a> Barron’s AP Computer Science A (9780764143731): Roselyn Teukolsky M.S.: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-Computer-Science-Roselyn-Teukolsky/dp/0764143735/ref=dp_ob_title_bk]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-Computer-Science-Roselyn-Teukolsky/dp/0764143735/ref=dp_ob_title_bk)</p>
<p>C++: Some may not like this recommendation. C++ is not nearly as forgiving as the other two and requires a good deal more low-level effort. I think this is a good thing because it promotes more rigorous learning.
[C++</a> Language Tutorial](<a href=“http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/]C++”>http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/)
[Cprogramming.com</a> - Programming Tutorials: C++ Made Easy and C Made Easy](<a href=“C, C++ Programming Tutorials - Cprogramming.com”>C, C++ Programming Tutorials - Cprogramming.com)</p>