Which Scripting language?
 

I have read multiple times that it is good to know one of the "big" languages (like C++, Java, C#, etc), and a scripting language.

When I finish my C++ book ( about another 400 pages ), I would like to take the time to learn a scripting language.

So, can anyone suggest a language ( I imagine python will come up more then once ), and a good book on it?

Thanks :)

Sure, you're gonna hear Python. I recommend PHP. Get an AMP or WAMP setup and go with it. The PHP manual is very good, and a lot of same-named functions come over from C/C++. They differ, as it's a less strongly typed language, but they give you a leg up.

As DaWei stated, you will hear Python. I'm going to say that just because I'm religious about Python. It was my first language, and it is my favorite scripting language.

Well, I like perl -- but I'm one of few these days. You will, certainly, hear Python everywhere you go by at least a considerable minority, but perl was my first language and the current incarnation is ridiculously powerful if you know how to use it (not always easy).

In the end, they're all tools that can do the same job. I like perl, most people nowadays like python. You can't really go wrong either way.

The official Programming Perl book from O'Reilly did the trick for me.

Python.

Really, really good online documentation, written by Guido von Rosssum himself.
Here is the tutorial : http://docs.python.org/tut/tut.html

Also Python has loads of extensions: Numpy, wxPython, pygame, pyGTK, pyQT, pyOpenGL etc.

Python is so easy to pick up once you get started, you will find it a lot easier than C++, and after a little while you will be better in Python than C++.
(But still should kow C++!)

http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/3882

I have more Perl experience than Python... But what I have seen in the past and what is currently going on... or so it seems... is that Python is taking the scripting languages by storm.

Bash, perl, python, ruby, php, brainf*ck, matlab, applescript, once you know one, you know 'm all, all you need is a good guide to the syntax. As I always say, it's about knowing how to program, then you can apply that knowledge to any language.

Unless you're learning Prolog. :p

It's worth mentioning that functional and logical based languages work need a slightly different approach to procedual languages. If you're good at programming in procedual languages, that doesn't necessarily carry over to functional or logical programming.

Its all about the mindset, you learn how to program in general... you will have little difficulty with other languages... the syntax is only a technicality.