Once it’s clear which programming and scripting languages best suit your needs, you won’t be left hanging trying to figure out what to do from there, as the internet is chocked full of online tutorials and other helpful resources. And aside from owning a PC that’s equipped with a suitable editor, the remaining cost factors are also generally more than manageable.
There are many editors to choose from, and Notepad++ is a popular choice for Windows users as is BBEdit. Mac users, on the other hand, tend to gravitate towards TextMate. The editor, Sublime Text has proven itself among both Mac and Windows users. For languages like Java or C, a compiler that already includes an IDE is often your best bet (examples include: Eclipse, NetBeans, Visual Studie, or X-Code).
Online courses are both practical and popular, but it’s always worth having a look at what options are available at your local University or community college. Even in today’s digitized world, learning things the old way, live and in 3D, can sometimes be the difference between gaining a few skills and a real breakthrough into the topic.