>If I were setting out today to learn the art of programming, I would start with C.

Don't know what a better answer is, but it ain't C. :-) Too advanced for someone starting out. A dialect of SQL would be good somewhere along the way - would seem to have good practical value to boot.

> Speaking for myself, I know there are a lot of theorhetical foundational stuff I am missing that would make me a better developer.

I think that's overrated. Lots of stuff given a fair amount of coverage in the book, Code Complete, was glossed over in my college courses, while lots of focus was given on a seemingly endless number of ways to perform a sort. The one exception in the academic world would be a compiler theory course, which I think would benefit many programmers. Of course, that's after a solid base of knowledge is gained.


Del