I've wanted to learn programming for years and am finally getting the chance after starting a BSc Computing at Uni (evening class).

One of the modules I'm just about to finish is "Introduction To Programming", using C++.

I've got on quite well with it, have understood most of it, and it's given me the inspiration to buy some books on it and learn more, and start programming in my own time as a hobby.

Most of the exercises given have been based on that night's lecture, covering all the basics like variables, arrays, functions, etc, etc, and are things like "Write a program using loops that produces the following on screen:

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and so on. The assessment coursework was a bit more detailed, incorporating everything taught over the 12 weeks (it was a program to record flight details for a travel agent, menu driven, allowing searching of flights, deleting of flights, writing to a text file, etc.)

My problem is where do I actually start when it comes to writing my own stuff, off the top of my own head? It's one thing knowing a language (computer or otherwise), it's another actually knowing what to do with it!

For example I could use a very simple program on my Mac that reads a .torrent file, and display the info contained within it - tracker URL, file details, piece size, etc, etc. Even if it's command line based. Where on Earth would I start? I know about variables, and passing them into functions, etc, etc, but I just can't fathom how I'd actually use this info to my own ends

Thanks for listening, I'm keen to learn!