if with HFT you simply mean multiple automated trades per day, then I would say: Find a setup where you can learn trading live with the lowest amount of $ and time risk. So I believe brokers like Oanda have API's, where you simply can get data and post trades (if you know programming) according to your logic, and you can do trades with as little as $1. And as to strategies: just google, there is plenty to find, maybe quantstart to start off with.
you have to have a prime broker account with at least 1mm liquid on deposit to start. once trading it may take up to 100mm for margins depending on how big you want to go. you must have your own software running on fpga cards and fiber sonet ring connections preferably one in an office at the exchange itself. the algo itself is not all that hard to create if your doing arb that is, which is what i would suggest to start for the lower margins. i can hook you up with the hook in of all the major exchanges data feed api and a data server farm. i know a guy lol.
From what I understand, this guy has written a book or two that might provided you with some of the type of information you might be looking for: https://kjtradingsystems.com/index.html
Your best option would be to not listen to all the broker reps, software vendors, signal sellers, who lurk around and target exactly the low hanging fruit like yourself. That is anyway how most newbees like you spend their hard earned money. Why this advice? Because you will save in the short, medium, and long term a lot more doing something else than gambling it away in the market. Honestly, why would you have an inkling of a chance in an industry that is populated by some of the smartest and most immoral on the planet. If you are such a sponge, how come the sponge does not seem to work on its own browsing the internet? Man, run, don't walk, as fast as you can and embark on a profession you have an edge in and some experience to get a head start. It's one of the worst places to be as newbee with zero experience and a lack of self drive to study and acquire skills on your own. Best advice you will get on this site even though you might not like to hear it.
Trade4Success in your quest do not forget......“Modus Operandi” you must learn to fail over and over and over again..... Never mind. You won’t forget....
the programming language is the last thing you need to worry about. Use JavaScript if you want. There are 100 other things to solve before language matters. Every language can do HFT because it’s the stuff outside your computer that plays the biggest role. If you manage to take care of your outside environment, then it is the hardware, then the OS stack. Then maybe your language has a small impact.