Where to begin?

[anacron]

I'd like to learn Linux programming, maybe starting off with basic shell scripting in BASH, then moving on to (C, C++?). I have no prior programming experience of any kind.

Where do I begin? Know any good books? Any free online tutorials?

Thanks!

[BurntAsh]

usually books by O'Reilly do the trick =)

I would recommend doing what I did... jump right into C++ - it's tough, but once you get a hang of the general design ideas, it's really not that hard to grasp.

Here's a free C++ guide, and I can recommend Deitel and Deitels, How to program C++
http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCScpp/

If you feel that C++ might be a bit much, then I hear Ruby is good as a learners language, since it's very easy and fun to code in. I've never personally tried Ruby, but it comes highly recommended.

[kenshi]

There are some nice Basic interpreters out there, including Yabasic. It has a lot of modern features not in the classic Basic and is a really easy place to start.

[morphman]

I think maybe you should start with scripting just because you learn some of the more advanced programming-like features of the shell. Then more onto a more advanced language like C.