Start simple and build from there... Most "real" computer programs are written and debugged this way.
Take a look at the [u]Arduino Language Reference[/u] and some of the associated examples. You'll want to look at input/output (how to detect a button-push and how to turn-on an LED). You'll also want to look how if-statements work. (If the LED is off and I push the button, do something...)
And, you'll need to know a little about timing and delays.
I'd start by making a program (sketch) that turns-on an LED when you push the button/switch and off when you release it. Then, make a program that turns the LED on when you push the button once, and turns-off when you push the button again. (Mechanical buttons "bounce" for a few milliseconds, so you'll need a delay for that one.)
Now, write a little sketch that sequences LEDs. The Bitwise Operators and bits & Bytes functions might also be helpful. In binary (base 2), a looping 4-channel "chase" looks like this:
0001 (=1 decimal)
0010 (=2 decimal)
0100 (=4 decimal)
1000 (=8 decimal)
0001
0010
0100
1000
0001
0010
0100
1000...
Take a look at [u]blikenlight Experiments[/u].
if i could do it through the same chip, that would be awesome...but if not, i would try to do each on seperate chips....
You should be able to do both, depending on how many LEDs are in your sequence. And, there are ways to increase the number of LEDs you can drive/control.