Quick Web/Console solution(easy learning curve): PHP and web technologies like JS,HTML,CSS,DHTML should get you started with quick standalone tools; Then by extending further you can bring Web 2.0 pages using AngularJS or similar frameworks. PHP also has good server side frameworks. Install LAMPP or WAMPP and you are all set to start programming - readily available stacks.
Java/J2EE: you can achieve same and more. Learning curve is bit spiky - need to understand a lot. Might take some time to catch basics and learn advanced tools. Once in, you can start writing your own libraries. If you use Maven(project management), you can use all existing libraries with ease. This is my current environment. Eclipse IDE with Core Java programs that can print methods outputs and show when a method predicted correctly. I am not sure whether there are any ready made stacks - by installing Tomcat server and a JDK with your preferred IDE, you should be all set to start programming.
In either case, the advantage is that, if you abstract the library part, then you can work on the GUI part separately.
If you have PHP or Perl knowledge you can start coding in Python.
PHP,Python, Java would be my choice of language. Then you need to plugin version control, IDE, libraries etc., based on the framework and language you use. Idea IDEs(IntelliJ for Java/J2EE, Webstorm for web projects,etc., ) are all good but they are paid software. The equivalent open source alternative is Eclipse IDE.
Good Luck