well, i think i've just answered my own question, but... if 1 had a choice to either pickup C++ 1st or Perl, what would be the best lang 2 go w/ (actually, my orig ? was an either/or scenario, not a 1st vs 2nd scenario; w/an either/or scenario, i'm guessing that C++ would be better since its relavent to soooo many technologies)?

actually... i would recommend you start with C, then perl, and then C++.. in that order, then you can go back and work with perl as object oriented, as you can do that.. but learn c first.. if you know all three.. you'll be a much better programmer.. of course.. if you've never programmed anything.. learn pascal first.. its readable.. easy to learn.. then go to c, then perl, then c++..

or you could just hire someone else to do your coding..

I definitely don't recommend you start out with Perl. If you want to get a mild understanding of programming I recommend you do QBASIC. If you want a deeper understanding of overall topics of programming, definitely go with C++. C++ has a strong foundation in object orientation plus builds on a lot of what C already has. C is still considered more lower level than C++ so it's more preferably used to build low level applications such as 3D engines and kernels. This isn't saying that C++ isn't powerful, it is. Oh yes, very. I just think that C++ would be a good choice to start, because, although it might be harder to start off rather than QBASIC or Pascal, you start out with a good foundation that's found in all programming languages.

KNALB & incissor - i thought Pascal & QBASIC were pretty much obsolete languages - but if theyre solid building blocks...

incissor - no sense picking up either of those and C, just going directly to C++?

Well I mentioned QBASIC and Pascal just because they deal with good principles of programming - principles that you'll find in other languages. By themselves, they are now obsolete, other than learning/academic purposes. Their syntax has been carried out in other popular languages such as Visual Basic(QBASIC) and Delphi(Pascal).

I think you should just go directly to C++. C++ contains principles that are found in pretty much all programming languages. A lot of other languages tend to follow its syntax, so I highly recommend it.

thanx 4 the 411 incissor & knalb, much appreciated!

LOL! You spelled "inscissor" wrong. =) I know it sounds and looks a lot like the word "incisor," but it's spelled "inscissor." Hehe... or you could just call me Dan...

LOL! sorry Dan, i'll get ur nick right from now on! :-X i'm draggin a bit & hitting to msg boards @ once when i barely have the marbles 4 just 1 right now - but this is what i do to unwind from a days work b4 hittin the sack!!!

Just teasing you. I can only tell you how many times people make the same mistake.. lol!