I realize this is a subject of hot debate, but I'm interested in opinions that relate to my specific situation. I want to learn the basics and fundamentals of programming, so I'm already taking a college course in general programming concepts. It isn't covering a specific language, but it's giving me a solid foundation that I can build upon when I move on to a class that teaches a specific language. My two options for a specific language are Java and C because those are the two languages taught at the college I want to take classes from. What I want to do is learn a complex language so that I can apply that knowledge to languages that I use, or will eventually use, in my current job building web pages: XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, XML, ActionScript. I'm not necessariy interested in becoming a Java developer or a C developer in the immediate future, but I do have aspirations of developing web applications and iPod/iPhone applications. So, basically, I'm looking for answers to these questions and the reasoning behind them: Do I take the introductory course in Java first, and then take the intro course in C, or Do I take C first and then take Java? Is there any reason not to take them concurrently? Should I skip C altogether as Java covers everything I need to know? EDIT: Thanks everyone for your thoughtful and insightful responses.