I also started programming with my TI Calculator and also had a few lessons from my Dad in Pascal. Then in my college, I started with Lisp, then C, then Java.

I also started programming with my TI Calculator and also had a few lessons from my Dad in Pascal. Then in my college, I started with Lisp, then C, then Java. C was definitely the primary language for my college education: Operating Systems, Architecture, Software Development, Compilers. Although C allows you to understand the computer at a low level, I had no intention to get a career in it. I appreciate C, but wish I learned more high level languages to be more prepared come graduation. C is important to know, but it can also be overemphasized in some colleges.