Just wondering...

I've goofed off with Linux for about 5 years now and I'm finally getting around to going through what seems to be a very good tutorial on shell scripting (bash). I wouldn't say that the programming bug has bit me, but I can say I want more control over my machine and obviously learning how shell scripts work and are written will certainly give me more control
and knowledge concerning Linux.
Just in case the programming bug does bite, shell scripting in bash is a good precursor for what language? I have no clue and I imagine people will respond with, "What do you want to do?" I don't know, but I'm just wondering after getting a good grip on scripting, what is the logical next step considering learning a language.

Any and all input is appreciated and a frosty mug-o-beer to ya!

Freestone

I'd probably go on to other "scripting" languages, like Perl, Python, or Ruby. Stuff like C, C++, and Java are a bit more different.

I've always said that:
Learning the first language is really hard - you don't know anything.
Learning the second one is almost as hard - you can't keep straight what's general to programming, and what's specific to your first language.
Learning three or more is easy - you've got the process down.

Thank you ataraxia.

Freestone

Python is probably the best place to start, nice straightforward syntax, very easy to learn. There is a basic tutorial on the website (it should also be in the documentation, if you already have it installed). Perl's syntax is notoriously opaque, but it is a powerful language, especially for processing text. If you do become more interested in programming, then learning C will be advantageous (since the majority of free software is written in it), but that can wait until later...