[Jim E]

C++ is an offshoot of the C programming language.

C++ delves into object oriented programming more, There you will learn associations between structures such as parent and children inheriting the properties of their parents and other such nonsense. It works great for structures, but I found it confusing to write and understand. I recommend a C primer before taking this language or you will be lost from Day 1. You need to understand pointers and structures before attempting the concepts of C++.

Visual Basic. NET is Windows based. There are some companies that use it, but most of the larger companies are moving to C#.NET among other languages based on the C Standard.

FORTRAN is an Engineering language based upon BASIC except it handles complex mathematics better. Unless you work with Calculus in your programming, you will probably never see it in industry.

C language is the Entry level block you must understand. Think of it like mathematics, You cannot multiply until you can add. You cannot do Trig until you understand Geometry. Differential Equations cannot be done until you have a solid understanding of Calculus.

Programming is much of the same. Java, HTML, C++, C#, C#.NET,D, Labview ... are all based on the principles of C. The reason for this is because C is portable across many different operating systems using that OS Systems designated compiler. The same program written for Windows will run on a MAC by just recompiling.

By now you have probably guess it, all operating systems and device programs are also written on some derivative of the original C language.

Get to know the basics first before tackling a higher-level language than C. You will be glad you did.