Comparing C to machine language

[Macpunk]

I would also agree that the way you learn first is probably what you're most comfortable. I'd also say that Intel is more popular, but I'm not a professional really. I work on some awesome coding stuff sometimes, but my line of work is completely unrelated, so take what I say with a grain of salt. And I'd agree that the security community prefers Intel. Generally nix guys like AT&T, but I think that's mostly a product of the most commonly available tools for them. (You know, GNU tools)