[wysguy]

I too chuckle when I hear "not too late...". Even more so when someone is in their 20's.

I began programming at age 36. Shortly after, having been so inspired by how exciting it was, I enrolled in a university. I am now just a few classes short of a Computer & Information Science degree. I will be 40 when I have an actual degree in my hand.

What I can contribute to others from my experience is that you will have greater determination, focus, and perseverance to learn something you really enjoy. This is especially true when you get older.

I don't believe I would have done as well or learned as much if I had pursued programming in my 20's. I wasn't as focused; I had far too many distractions.

My advice on getting started. Start at CS101. Learn the basics to a degree were it becomes second nature. Solve small problems, when you can do that easily solve larger ones. Don't cheat yourself; don't skim over bubble sort because it is boring, everything will teach you something. And most of all, enjoy yourself.