I am looking for a few pointers, I got pointed to this site.
My primary interest is network programming. I have done quite a bit of reading and experimenting and am familiar with mechanisms of most protocols. Now I want to start writing code. I read introductory stuff on python and grasped it well too. I had just started playing with the python modules, when I met somebody(with a tall reputation) at the local lug meeting who told me that I could always learn python very easily later but C was the language I must know, specially given my interest on network programming. I did some research and thought maybe the guy is right. So I've been with a k&r for 4 weeks now. It didn't intimidate me but I am progressing very very slowly and maybe that's why also slacking a bit. I am posting this because I'm at the stage where it's even worrying me now. I'm always thinking that in python i could be building stuff right now. I know python won't teach me low level things like memory management etc, but my progress is pain-stakingly slow in C.
Question: Should I continue battling with C like i'm now and write some working code in it or switch to python where i'll be at a bit more ease? Will a high level language spoil me too much to come back to C later?
Twenty years ago, even ten, you couldn't live without it.
Now many do.
It's possible (probable, actually) that more than half the programmers in the world don't know C.  It's completely unnecessary for Web work and for most app work.  I'm being gracious with this--if you really were to include web, hobby, overseas consultants and the like, the percent who have used C is probably pretty low at this point.
Embedded often uses C, but I've worked on 2 embedded platforms (a waveform analyzer and cable box) where I've done nothing but Java work.
Honestly a basic understanding of C is nice for writing drivers and understanding pointers, but these days you can easily get through an entire career without ever needing C.  I personally would completely skip C++, although it's used quite a bit, I don't see any big advantages to learning it now.
Network programming: Python vs. C for a complete beginner