BASIC was one of my first languages (after LOGO). I learned it as a kid (1988-1991).<p>I don't think it helped me much, in retrospect. It limited what I could create (programs were slow and limited in many capabilities) and it did not teach me a good programming style.<p>I wish I learned Pascal, SML or even C instead at that time. I just did not have access to compilers for those languages back then (it was on MSX hardware, a pre-PC).