Are you a former Buzzfeed staffer just here trolling?

Python is the easiest modern language to begin (and is used a lot in various industries) - look for a so-called "Hello, world" tutorial for Python.

The best way to start your exploration (as I'm sure the tutorial will say) is just to start Python from a command line and do exercises which involve typing code lines interactively (known as REPL, "read-evaluate-print loop").

Later on, when you move from exercises to putting together a simple program, you will want to move up to a decent dev environment for it (known as IDE, "integrated development environment"). This helps you manage multiple code files as part of one program, and provides useful utilities such as auto-completion and debugging (stepping though code line by line and monitoring the variables).

I started to learn in middle school / early high school.

I was self taught, and I used Minecraft plugins as my medium for learning.

I would create random plugins that modified the way you played the game or did random things.

It's in Java so it teaches you a popular Object Oriented Language.

I'd recommend it maybe not the Minecraft part anymore but I don't see why not.

Get a job as a journalist.

start building something. Come up with a goal, pick a platform, pop open the documentation and just go. Also, torrent the books.

Udemy.com

Look for programs pertaining to the language youd like to learn.

Automate the boring stuff - python is a good start.

The absolute best way to get a useful, structured intro to software development is Harvards CS50 course. Takes about 8 to 12 weeks to finish, but youll come out with all the skills needed for an internship/junior dev position. I did it between semesters of college, and no joke learned more from the one class than i did in all my other ones combined. I can only assume its been improved in the past few years too.

Cs50.harvard.edu

I think the key will be to find something you want to do that can be done with programming. Then you'll have something to work towards to keep you motivated .

If you can't think of anything right now, maybe look at something like Project Euler (https://projecteuler.net) to give you some problems to tackle.

The language you use is up to you. I'd probably start with either C# or Java

The havard course Khan Academy -free online

Instantly use this dev env https://www.codeanywhere.com/

It's a huge topic

If you are a self learner, there are tons of great free resources online; someone mentioned Khan's academy, but there are also a lot of good stuff on YouTube (search for instance for the two keywords 'Python' and 'beginner', you are bound to find something that works for you -- Python is a pretty good language to learn as a beginner while still being very useful to advanced users -- there are many other ways to get started, but that's not the worse one);

It would take months to get mediocre... But that's something!

You can sometimes find old textbooks at the Goodwill/Friends of the Library/used bookstores. I would say setting up a computer to run is crucial too but you could actually read without a computer at first lol.

A semi-serious possibility would be to find a pirate copy of Q-Basic and install it inside of DOSbox.

If using Android look for the "turbo" version, it has a more compatible keymap. A bluetooth keyboard can be handy too, but selecting "scale screen" and installing Hacker's Keyboard is good enough.

Things were simpler at one time so going retro, within reason, can be a good thing. C64 is too far retro BTW. I think this QB version runs directly on Windows... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE-Voij5k5Q

https://processing.org/examples/

It does not matter where you start. Programmers are self-learning, no paid course will make you a good programmer. Just get a compiler and start making your hands dirty. Any compiler is good, any language is good, just do it.

I have a question. I have been pondering learning to code, but is it even likely to get a job if I become proficient?

If there is a specific task, then it is easier to entrust it to professionals. There are many resources where you can choose a company based on your requests. Here is a good company Title Here good luck searching