<p>Actually python is not a bad first language. Java is better. MATLAB is a bad first language – not only because the language is very specialized but because most of the matlab programming guides/books focus on doing things like matrix algebra, using math tools in matlabs etc… when you just want to learn how to do a basic for loop or conditional statements which will be covered but most important programming topics will be ignored.</p>
<p>Start with Java, C++, or Python (there will be a 30 page debate about this, so just start with whatever you want or whatever is taught at the CS department of the school you’re going into)</p>