Sounds like you learned it from machine code DOWN, and I'd say that's definitely NOT the recommended way to do so.
I got all my training in 'how to program' at my workplace in the late 60s where they used learner-paced instruction and classroom courses over a 2 year period to get us the basics, and this was supplemented later by additional courses to meet current/future job requirements. In my time there I went to approximately 60 IBM courses lasing from 2 days to 2 weeks each.

The key to programming, in my opinion, is logic and sequence and you really don't need any computer language to learn/practise that.
To a lot of people this represents the ultimate in BOREDOM and to others of us it is about as exciting as it can get.
Ask the person to write out each and every step required to decide tat they need to get a jug of milk at the store, go get it, come back, put it in the fridge and set back where they were when they determined the need in the fist place.
Then go over it with them and pick it apart... did they put their shoes on... did they pick up the car keys... did they turn the key in the ignition... did they reach into the store cooler and then ensure the cooler door was closed... did they reach into their pocket for the money required... did they count the change... did they put the returned bills into their folder... and that back into their pocket... etc etc etc.
Once they see how lousy they did on that, ask them if they still think programming sounds interesting.
If they answer yes, then I'd help them find a book on 'how to program' with exercises in it.
If they finish that and still think it's cool, then I'd recommend any language - especially PC-based of course, that STILL has PAPER books available and that has detailed chapters on 'what is programming' and 'how to program in this language'. Early dBASE came with such stuff and VFP has much of the same today but NOT ON PAPER.

One person's opinion, and good luck to the interested party.



>One of my support people asked me how to learn to program. I learned to program in 1970 and learned it from machine code up. I'm not sure that is still the best approach. Any ideas on the best tools/books to learn programming?