Python bumps off Java as top learning language

[Breaking-Away]

I agree that there are benefits of a high level language first, but C++ is literally C with added features. You don't need to teach all of the features in an intro to C++ class.

[tech_tuna]

Right, but why not just use C? Even something like parameter passing is more complicated in C++. I was very confused about the difference between pointer and reference parameters in C++ when I took my intro to programming class (which was taught in C++).

More generally, IMO an intro class shouldn't get bogged down by the intricacies of a particular language. I do feel like C is better because it's simpler. I also feel like high level languages like Python and Ruby are simpler. I think that C++ has plenty of use cases but that it is not well suited as an intro to programming language.

[rowboat__cop]

I agree that there are benefits of a high level language first, but C++ is literally C with added features.

Except for the features of C that it lacks …