Windows 7: Question about shortcuts and the Taskbar/Dock

I have a lot of things I want to put on the Dock, but I don't want an individual item for each. I basically want to group them. For example, I have:
-C# Projects (Folder/Directory)
-Java Projects (Folder/Directory)
-C# (Shortcut)
-Eclipse (Shortcut)
I want to put all 4 of these items into a "group" called "Programming" and then put it on the Dock. Any idea how to do this?a

There are lots of ways to do that.
Such as Rocketdock, Objectdock
You will need to use Stack Docklet with rocketdock.

Anather option is 7 Stacks

Or if you dont want to use any third party app you can make it with windows taskbar.
Make shortcuts of all folders and put them in one folder and then pin that folder to taskbar
Hear is a tutorial for that.

Hope this helps.

I made a folder called "SHORTCUTS" and put some shortcuts to programs inside of it. I then pinned a shortcut to "SHORTCUTS" on the Windows Taskbar. When I right click the icon, there are two "links": SHORTCUTS and Unpin this program from taskbar. Is it possible to have the actual shortcut "links" when you rightclick on the icon without using third party apps?

You can't simply just pin it. you have to make a toolbar.
have you followed tutorial?

RocketDock & 7Stakes are also good options.
They will give nice effect to your desktop.
And they are very easy to use.