is there a sequential order to learning programming languages?

Troy;

If you want to learn Python, by all means, start there.

There will probably be an interesting discussion on this topic, but it is my belief (or perhaps just the way I function) that if you want to learn a specific language, do it! If, along the way, you discover that obtaining some knowledge in another language is necessary pick up those bits and pieces to do your project, but try not to get bogged down in learning bits and pieces of every language out there before being able to function in one of them.

With regards to the second aspect of your question, in general, I don't believe that it is necessary to know language A prior to learning language B. That being said, if you are proficient in one language, say Python, learning another language traditionally has a smaller learning curve because many of the key concepts of programming are the same. For example if you know how to define, implement, and utilize classes in Python, you will find many similarities in other Object-Oriented languages and their respective class structure. The syntax may be different and other subtleties, but the concepts are the same or very similar.

Does that make any sense?

Happy coding and welcome to Treehouse.

Ken

Got it! Thanks, Python here we go!