I've heard a lot about Python and Java, but my end game would probably be learning to use C# for mobile development. I've tried several methods of learning, but it's hard to do when you're not consistently on a Desktop platform. I'm already pretty adept with scripting languages, but programming requires a lot of math right?

Where did you start and how did you learn?

pennylessz : I think I already mentioned this to you though in my High School days we learned a bit of C+ and I'm not sure how hard it cause I've heard people having difficulties with it but i'm sure if I relearned the programming language It would be much easier. Different strokes for different folks as they say.

I've learned Java and C, and I've dabbled in C++.

Hm... I guess just start with anything you're comfortable with. It really doesn't matter which programming language you choose since programming concepts are what you need to learn when starting out, not syntax. Say for example, web development, what do you need to know? Maybe how to manipulate web pages, how do you pass information around? How and where do you save it? How do you beautify the page without messing up the user experience (if you want front-end)? Etc. Etc. Once you know the concepts, it's easier to search "How to do xxx in yyy programming language using zzz framework?". I usually learn like that lol.

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Background:
I program in Java for a living, it might not be used in the usual web development stuff around for small or hobby apps(specially since we have all these shiny Javascript frameworks around that are now usually easier to setup), but many companies still use java specially for apps where concurrency, heavy loads and security are critical. In my current company, we basically have a department (for Japan region clients only, I'm not sure about the headcounts in other department regions) consisting of 500+ developers who focus on java and a tiny sprinkle of any other skillsets on the sides. For instance I was required to know some stuff about python since I was supposed to create a Java API bridging a python and another Java app, then a good understanding of SQL queries and optimization for dashboard and report creations. Some other colleagues know a bit of React, or Angular, or Ruby, or anything else needed for their project. We might know different progamming languages/frameworks, but Java skills have always been required from us, everyone NEEDS to know Java here. Even for fresh graduates (from what they have told us) their bootcamps were all about Java (the programming language itself and the frameworks).

I've been in 3 companies so far that focus on using java technologies (1 is a startup then 2 are big companies with thousands of employees), and I see job posts looking for java developers everywhere. So no, java is not outdated. And many companies still use java for their existing applications and for creating new ones from scratch.

juliet is right about it being important to learn programming concepts rather than syntax. after you learn your first language youll be able to learn others in a very short amount of time. that being said i think its way easier to learn using c#. java has a ton of inconsistencies that make learning it first cumbersome. my school recently switched to teaching the student java from c# and students have been having a much harder time imo. c++ is a good one as well but at some point youll have to learn pointers which are very useful but can be difficult for some. cant really go wrong no matter what though as long as you learn the concepts.

I'd recommend Python for starters because it's a very beginner-friendly programming language to pick up while also being versatile, very powerful, and having a pretty consistent syntax as well. Moreover, since Python reads like regular English, you don't have to worry too much about the finer details of syntax learning as a beginner, which will allow you to focus more on learning the basic programming concepts as others have already stated.

If I could go back to high school and choose which programming language I learned first, I would pick Python over C++ or Java. Very beginner friendly and flexible. Alternatively, C/C++, Ruby, Java, and Javascript are also good choices. In the end though, the first language you choose to learn doesn't matter too much. What's important is the programming concepts you take away from it and can transfer and apply from language to language.

That said though, I still strongly suggest Python. In addition to everything I mentioned above, Python is also more forgiving on errors as well, so even if there are errors in your program, you can still compile and run it until you encounter the problematic portion of it, which again, will probably greatly resemble English and make it easier to identify and fix. Furthermore, Python also has a massive developer community and library to assist your learning. Overall, these reasons make it an attractive language for beginners because it doesn't bog them down with difficult syntax and allows them to progress quickly and easily create solutions to their problems which is very empowering in and of itself.