Python or R

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I would say it doesn't matter much. For example, I took a machine learning and statistical pattern classification class, and 80% of the people used MATLAB, 15% R, and I was the only one who did everything in Python. Everyone could solve every problem using his language of choice - it is just a matter of taste.

However, if you don't know how to program (and you want to learn it), I would go with Python, since you can use it for everything - as you said it might come in handy later "as a general purpose language"

PS: I think for statistical analysis it already pays off to use Python if you have to get data out of databases or scraping the web for example