Which version of Linux is best for me, bearing in mind that I'm a beginner in the Linux but I am in somewhat engage programming?
What is the simplest method of installation for the proposed version?
Thanks in advance!

Use the search button ----------------------------->

if you have never used linux before try ubuntu

This qn has been asked many many times before, so using the search button is a good idea.
In short, go to www.distrowatch.com and try the top 5 or 10 there until you find one you like.
Typical recommendations tend to include Mandriva, any Ubuntu series, Fedora etc.

Visiting Disto watch is a good idea. The most popular newbie friendly distros are Ubuntu/Kubuntu, SuSE, Mandriva, and maybe Fedora Core.

I will recommend ubuntu, it comes with online CD, just make your system boot with CD and thats it, no installation ..nothing.

Mandrivia is by far the best. Looks very much like windows. Good documentation.
Extremely easy to install. Just download and burn to image, boot up off of cd and answer 4 questions.
Can't get any easier.

@ {Quakeboy02, townie, chrism01, jschiwal, vikas027, Homer1}
Super help !
Yes, the question is often asked, it is certainly so, as it is likely that it will use many new colleagues ...

At present I've got to go with Ubuntu, or a derivative. Google it, there are loads.

What about Red Hat?

Red Hat's commercial, you have to pay for it. The others are free. CentOS is the free version of Red Hat.

I would recommend u try to understand linux itself. It doesnt matter what distro u use. At the bottom of all distros is the linux kernel... working with the kernel is pretty interesting.
Also all commands would pretty much work across distros. If ur focus is on just checking out different distros for the fun of it ... then its not in any way gonna enhance ur OS skills or Programming skills but it sure can be fun.
Also when installations start to go wrong is when u start to learn stuff... an all easy automated install is like windows ... it does everything its way without letting u in on any specific controls that u may want....

The nearest to xp is probably Mandriva but cannot comment on programming although you can always add development tools.Note, install urpmi from the repositary base. Try '//rpm.livna.org

fred.