Python bumps off Java as top learning language

Java programmer here.

That's ok. Python is a good language, and it is especially good for learning environments. Java is heavy -- the smallest possible "Hello, world" program in Java is five lines -- and it tends to force concepts on beginners that are not appropriate. "Oh, don't worry about that 'public static void main' stuff for now."

Python hello world:

    print "Hello, world."

Now, Java is a solid language, and it is widely used in the business world. If college is intended to prepare students for the business world, then Java is a good choice of a language to learn/teach. BUT: if the goal is to teach, then yeah, languages like Python and Ruby are better starting places. With these, concepts can be introduced in a more natural way over time than can be done with Java.

And heck, there's always Jython.