PHP certainly is instant gratification, but its marriage to the web server sort of makes it a bit domain specific (though, it is possible to use it outside the web sever. it just never caught on). mostly I do not recommend PHP because it is messy. there are far better languages that share similar syntax that are cleaner, more consistent and have both better libraries an better mechanisms for managing libraries.
one of the languages I specifically was thinking of as a bit annoying is Java. before you are good to go, you need to set up the JVM, sort out your classpath ("help! what's a classpath!?"). then, when you are ready to program you instantly have to think in terms of classes and you are thrust head first into what "static" means etc. and dear god what a bucketload of frustration you are in for if you ask for advice and end up trying to make heads or tails or Eclipse or, god forbid, Maven.
one of the languages I specifically was thinking of as a bit annoying is Java. before you are good to go, you need to set up the JVM, sort out your classpath ("help! what's a classpath!?"). then, when you are ready to program you instantly have to think in terms of classes and you are thrust head first into what "static" means etc. and dear god what a bucketload of frustration you are in for if you ask for advice and end up trying to make heads or tails or Eclipse or, god forbid, Maven.