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There are so many more options than when he was writing BASIC programs on a ZX Spectrum. Choose something straightforward and stick with it. Python is about as simple as it gets. PLT Scheme is also a great option, it has a fully self-contained environment that includes much better graphics options than BASIC did, and is well-documented. There are lots of others - this post has some good discussion on a similar topic: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/950619/summer-holiday-pro...


Having more options means you have to figure out what choose. That doesn't make it easier, that makes it's harder.

It's also important that there be a lot of reference materials which would be easy for a kid to teach him/herself with.

For example: http://www.scribd.com/doc/200861/A-Touch-of-Applesoft-BASIC-...

This was the book I read when I was 10 years old. It was also easy to find BASIC code at the school library and in computer magazines.

How many current general computer magazines still publish useful bits of code ("How to access your mouse from Apple Basic", etc) ?


How many general computer magazines still exist?

The web has made printing code redundant. Why type it in when you can cut and paste?




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