Even a VSO (violin shaped object) can be used to teach the basics.  Once you know how to read music and what all the squiggles and dots on the page mean, and how to finger and bow your way through all of it, then you can assess whether your current instrument meets your future goals or not.  How soon that happens depends on the quality of your instrument.  With a VSO it'll happen sooner than with an instrument of higher quality.

Start with a program, learn what you can on what you have, and trade up if necessary once you have more knowledge and understanding.