in the way in which it "slaps your wrist" every time you violate its structure, type-checking, etc. That's a good thing for learners, but it doesn't do much once you catch on to what's needed. In 'C', it happily lets you attempt to execute a text string or sort a subroutine ( if your system architecture allows it, which 805x doesn't ) and tells you you've compiled successfully. It lets you shoot yourself in the foot, which PASCAL doesn't do so readily. If you're prepared to invest the time and effort to a THOROUGH study of the language, syntax, grammar, and proper style (orthography) before you venture forth and develop bad habits, then you probably should step right on into 'C', as it's the most widely-taught to students, widely-used by professionals, and best-supported programming language available today. C++ is, of course, more popular on the "big" machines, from PC's upward, but I wouldn't hold my breath for that to become realistic for microcontrollers.

There are people who think it easier to learn by comparison and contrast rather than by rigorous study. They're the ones who say you should learn PASCAL to help "unlearn" the bad habits learned with BASIC, et al, and then move to 'C', but in terms of efficiency of effort, going directly to a rigorous and disciplined approach to 'C' is quite probably better. I leave it to you to guess to which group I belong.

RE