Modding

I have never been one to use mods before in any game or on any console but obviously minecraft encourages such things and of course i would really like to increase my enjoyment when playing MC. I actually do have a bit of programming experience but i also mess up a lot in the process. if people wouldn't mind helping me out by posting some links to videos or even their own on how to add mods and also post some good basic staring out mods and some essentials, i would be greatly appreciative.