How difficult is it, you say?


From my Computer Science book:


To appreciate the problems solved in software engineering, it is helpful to select any large complex device you want (... [for this example, we will use] a cathedral) and imagine being asked to design it and then to supervise its construction. How can you estimate the cost in time, money, and other resources to complete the project? How can you divide the project into manageable pieces? How can you cope with the wide range of detail (the selection of doorknobs, the design of the gargoyles, the availability of blue glass for the stained glass windows, the strength of the pillars, the design of the duct work for teh heating system)? Questions of the same scope must be answered during the development of a large software system.

I would suggest reading up on stuff at the IEEE Computer Society website at www.computer.org, and then learning about hardware architecture as well if you plan on any large efficient programs. Then, after getting a good knowledge of a high end programming language like C/++ or Assembly, try getting involved in a project at SourceForge. It'll make for good, free experience, and will also give you an upper hand when it comes to getting a job at companies like Infinity Ward(Makers of Call of Duty) or VALVe.