C/C++

What. There are basically C/C++ compilers for every platform in existance. And if you want to make Windows programs, nab Visual Studio 2005 (Express, if you want a free compiler while the offer's still on), use the Windows SDK, grab the DirectX 9 SDK, and then code away. I'd think any of the basic window functionality hasn't changed since 98 for the most part, so writing a modern Windows app wouldn't be significantly different. Don't settle for GCC or Dev-C++, they're not near as well catered to the Windows platform, plus VS has the greatest API. Ever.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Argh. I sorry. I didn't mean best API... Ew. That was a rather sad mistake. Er... Best IDE. This is why acronyms are evil. I like VS's interface, not the library. Sorry for the misunderstanding. :/

How ya doing, buddy?

Even though ASM is useful in cases, I'd much rather avoid it when possible. Just let the compiler do its job.

Personally, I dig Python a lot more than C/C++, and Python is an interpretted language, so it's even slower than C. But really, it makes up for the slowness with awesome. I'm sure some of you hate it because it doesn't have strict variable typing and indentation rules and whatnot, but I love it. The library, the simplicity, the forced convention of spacing, generator functions, lists, tuples, dictionaries, not having to use confusing templates... <3.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.