Python and Ruby are great languages to start with but definitely not the end goal (for anyone who really wants to gain a deep understanding). They make the transition to understanding lower level languages e.g. C a lot smoother.

I disagree. I believe it works much better to start low level and then use higher level languages.

You start by learning how to do math on paper before being given a calculator.

I don’t think that analogy is accurate. Python and Ruby capture the essence of programming- they still require one to think logically and structure problems in precise computational language.

Yes, they do operate further from the underlying hardware- but as a beginner, this isn’t really important. Once you’ve grasped the basics, languages like C become a lot more accessible and you can better appreciate what the higher level languages do for you.

I guess it’s personal preference at the end of the day.