2008-07-07, 12:23 PM
Starting with a C++ book is a great idea. An important thing to remember, in my opinion, is that programming isn't really about writing code; it's about solving logical problems. Puzzles, if you will. Once you get that, and get used to figuring out solutions to these puzzles systematically, the programming language itself becomes a mere tool to accomplish the bigger task. Learning a programming language in itself is no real challenge -- it's kind of like learning basic arithmetic before you learn algebra. Learning to design software that provides a solution to some problem, on the other hand, is. Welcome to the wold of software engineering. 
I should also say that you're absolutely right about this being the time for you to get into these things. Programming can get extremely tedious and boring at times, even for people who are generally interested in computers. If you get into a comp sci or software eng program program without first acquiring "love" for it, chances are that you'll hate it -- and if that happens, then you probably won't be successful at it, either. But if you start now, get into it, and stick with it, you're going to pwn n00bz hardcore by the time you get out of school and are looking for a job!
I should also say that you're absolutely right about this being the time for you to get into these things. Programming can get extremely tedious and boring at times, even for people who are generally interested in computers. If you get into a comp sci or software eng program program without first acquiring "love" for it, chances are that you'll hate it -- and if that happens, then you probably won't be successful at it, either. But if you start now, get into it, and stick with it, you're going to pwn n00bz hardcore by the time you get out of school and are looking for a job!