Answer 1

Given the fact that Java is so widely used, it was my first choice of a language to learn here. (I've programmed for years in C++ so, once I noticed it was available, I did the course in a day.) Java has been around longer than C# and is in the public domain so the odds are it will win the long term battle over Microsoft's C#.

Personally, once you learn any language, they all become easier so I wouldn't worry to much about making a bad choice. If you plan on programming for Windows, C# is definitely the right first choice. If you wish to program for iOS or Android, Java is the best choice.