Visual Basic is a poor choice it can work but I'd recommend something closer to C like C# if you want to stick with a .NET language.
Generally speaking you should start off by learning two languages a general purpose (and imperative) language like: Java, C#, C++, C and a Scripting language like: perl, python or ruby.
The scripting language is generally easier to learn but you can learn either first. Learn the other type second. The key thing is to know a general purpose and a scripting language.
As for Art of Exploitation being outdated...thats true but it is still an extremely valuable book because in order to learn and understand the new techniques you need to have a solid handle on the old techniques that the new build on. If you can't grasp a basic stack overflow as introduced to you in Art of Exploitation you're not going to be able to grasp a modern exploit at all. So yes its technically dated but you still need to learn the content...Art of Exploitation is still be go to book for that.
Contrary to 1MrE1 said there is nothing wrong with buying it; I actually own two copies myself a physical(bought personally) and a kindle edition(bought for me by my employer who buys all new employees several books); I've also got the downloaded pdf. If you can afford it buy it and have a hard copy to reference while you work.
All that said, don't buy it yet. If you're just learning to code the material is beyond you. Take the time learn to code get a decent grasp of coding and a feel for how real programs are developed and engineered. Then get Art of Exploitation and let it introduce you to exploiting software. It has an introduction to programming in C which would be worth a read also as it introduces you to some lower-level concepts in programming necessary to understand the exploitation.
As for books(and presumably other material) I do actually recommend:
1. The C Programming Language -- I recommend people learn C
2. Computer Organization and Design, Fifth Edition -- I've not read the 5th edition actually but the 3rd was good for learning about how computers work at the CPU level.
3. Hacking: Art of Exploitation -- Widely considered the Bible of software exploitation
4. The Shellcoders Handbook -- More detailed than Art of Exploitation but less of an intro. I'd recommend this after Art of Exploitation.
5. OpenSecurityTraining - Introduction to Software Exploitation -- This is a video/lecture series on software exploitation, I'd go through this series along side Art of Exploitation.
http://opensecuritytraining.info/Exploits1.html
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....and btw visual basic is crap you can try Ruby easy language my favorate actually ))
