Coldfusion is often used in conjuction with databases.  Knowing how to design and query a database is just as important, if not more so, than learning coldfusion.  To that end, I have heard good things about the books, Database Design for Mere Mortals, and Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes.  Studying those books will kill some time while CF 9 books are being written.

If you have never programmed before, you'll have to learn the fundamentals of programming.  This include if/else logic and looping.  You can do that with coldfusion.  I'll start you off with my most important fundamental.  Know what your code is supposed to accomplish before you start writing it.

If you don't know html, you'll have to learn that also.  http://www.htmlgoodies.com/ is as good a site as any for that.

Good luck.

The one thing to note that has yet to be mentioned here.

CF9 is just an improvement on CF8 which is an improvement on CF7 before it and CF6 before that.

Now there was a fairly big change between CF5 and CF6, but there are still a lot of similarities.

The point I am trying to make here is that any books, blogs or tutorials you see lying around that discuses these earlier versions are going to serve you well to understand the core of the newest and greatest.  Once you have the core it is just a matter of seeing what the new cool features of CF9 are.

Message was edited by: Ian Skinner  And of course I forgot the mention that the generally accepted bible of ColdFusion is the Ben Forta etc ColdFusion Web Application Construction Kit which has been published at least through Version 8.  I have not heard when and if he might be publishing for version 9.

http://www.carehart.org/ is loaded with help for Cold Fusion developers.  While not designed chiefly for beginners, Charlie Arehart does a fabulous job of answering questions and has helped me significantly as a beginner. 

He directed me to http://www.intermedia.net/support/ColdFusion/CFMXdocs/Getting_Started. pdf and I have found it very helpful.  While dated, it offers a solid foundation for understanding the basics of Cold Fusion.