My first instinct would be to point him to learning JavaScript but I'd like to see what HN thinks
If you have a goal which is not about programming, but requires programming to reach, then you are more likely to learn programming by reaching that goal than by choosing "I would like to learn to program too".
As a programmer myself, sure I'd like to tell people. It's not realistic to make everyone a programming genius, but I want them to know its significance in society. When I describe programming to somone, I start with the most basic stuff, like Theory of Computation. How inputs relate to outputs, how a computer can do stuff on its own, and how you can make it do stuff.
if doing javascript lessons for a few days doesn't scare him away from programming, nothing will.
Use programming adjacent tools that he is familiar with or wants to play with. Excel, html, no code solutions. This should be a low time investment but will either get him hooked or deter him.
Read some core books like "The Pragmatic Programmer" about general skills.
Pick up a friendly book like https://www.railstutorial.org/ for web development. I'm sure there are other similar books for other types of development.
Generally, I really like CS50x[0]. I think it provides a great overview of programming, has an awesome production value, and really teaches some of the fundamentals that some beginners tend to skip these days - and which I personally believe are important (e.g memory, binary, etc.).
With that being said, I do recognize that most people require some 'early wins' that will motivate them to keep learning. While something like CS50x is definitely satisfying, it can be too heavy, difficult, or slow for some.
In that case, I think one should 'skip' the fundamentals and go straight for some web development course (any popular Udemy one will probably do) in which they'll get some early action.
https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/responsive-web-design/#ba...
Ideally this is a good foundation