I'm 17 and started seriously only a year ago. Although I agree that starting at 18 is not a death knell, I think it is a serious inhibitor to success. The later

I'm 17 and started seriously only a year ago. Although I agree that starting at 18 is not a death knell, I think it is a serious inhibitor to success. The later you start programming, the more you postpone your career. I look around at some people who are of the same age who have been programming for significantly longer, and are making an order of magnitude more money. More time programming means more experience which means better jobs earlier in your career. As for passion, sure, if you care about something, you can start at any age. But no matter when you start, you have to work your way up through internships and freelance work before you can create any semblance of a career. All of this takes time, and the sooner you get it out of the way, the more time you have to actually program for a living. Starting earlier gives you a significantly better shot at becoming successful.