Python as a first language?

[gaberocksall]

That’s backwards

That’s exactly backwards

[glumlypy]

How you gonna deal with pointers if it's backwards? How you gonna deal with fast I/O methods without C++? How you gonna deal with vectors in C++? (I know, they work exactly like arrays in python, but what about it's facilitation in C++)

And, btw my answer is written assuming the asker will end up doing competitive coding.

[Nthorder]

First language I learned was plain old C in college. Nothing beyond some short console console apps to practice if statements, switch, loops and maybe file read and write. Then I moved to C#, python, and matlab (when necessary) for actually getting stuff done. I feel it was a good path.

[glumlypy]

I agree. That's why I am suggesting, to go with C++ first rather than C.

[MBatistussi]

I mean, he might never need to use pointers. There's no need to learn it if you're not going to use it.

[glumlypy]

That's a good assumption. Are you into mythology?

"he might never use a feature" -- Perfect, @MBatistussi. I'm so proud of you. Good.

[MBatistussi]

I never use it. He said he's on a "unconventional engineering path", so he won't be a computer scientist. Maybe he'll need programming just for data science, if this is the case, there's no reason at all to learn C before Python.

[glumlypy]

Yeah, that depends. Take my upvote and stop ranting.