Startup problems, please help

today when I turned the key, a loud, fast stuttering/clicking noise came from the engine and would not start, the warning lights on the panels flashed with the clicking, after trying a few more times, it would eventually start and drive fine. but trying to start it later it did the same thing, is this a battery problem? I don't how this car is supposed to act when the battery is out, my old car would even let me turn the key and nothing would happen, any other ideas? thanks