Python

Python is a Great Language

So are others, but for some purposes Python may be the best

Why

• Has its own iconic cartoon [import antigravity] ( do you know of any for another language? )
• Named after Monty Python, how cool is that.
• Free
• Runs on many OS's including the Raspberry PI.
• Great interactive modes.
• Concise, code often short without being cryptic.
• Real language not a toy.
• Widely used, lots of support books.....
• Lots of libraries for doing lots of things.
• Interpreted, but not all the time may be compiled.
• Seems to play well with other languages.
• Option for serious Object Orientation, almost everything is an object of a class.
• No need to adopt the OO methodology for many programs.

But

• Not statically typed which may not suit your tastes ( or may be a plus ).
• Not the fastest, but often fast enough.

Ways to Run

• From text editor, save file, run with an interperter. ( Generally use Idle instead, nicer, almost as lean )
• IPython, a highy interactive environment ( I have not used )
• Idle ( as in Eric ) a really really basic, IDE