Programming AssignmentBest Programming Project Ideas: Go Back to What You Already Know
Here's some advice for students: Don't try to learn new things.
You are clicking around, trying to find the best idea for a programming project by looking at ideas suggested by other people. But have you considered a “constructivist” approach?
It's the easiest way to do anything with the highest possible quality: Instead of deciding what you are going to achieve and then trying to achieve it, just waddle around and tinker with things you already know how to do until something excellent happens naturally.
For example, you might want to create a program that can predict what a person is going to say in a particular situation by using data about what they have said in other situations. If you collect enough information about a person, maybe you can know what they will say before they do! This sounds like such a cool idea, so you will get obsessed with it and start learning everything you need to know to make it happen.
Soon, you get stuck on one aspect of it, make a mistake, and fail. Or you get frustrated and fall behind, so you have bad outcomes in other classes while you try to complete this project. I admire your inspiration, but let's be practical! The best idea becomes the worst idea if it's not something you can actually do effectively.
The most brilliant innovations require more than the perfect idea. The idea must also be perfect for the programmer who is going to use it. Brilliant innovation is what happens on those rare occasions when the person who has a great idea coincidentally happens to be person whose skills are best for bringing the idea to life.
And this brings us to the concept behind this article...
Stop Looking For Ideas That Are Outside Your Mind, and Turn Within
Go back to what you already know. Those skills and lessons you have already learned represent the foundation for all your ideas. A big disconnect takes place if you search online for programming project ideas and then try to mold your skills and abilities until you are compatible with your idea.
Sometimes the best ideas come from a person who tinkers around with what they have already mastered, going deeper than anyone else can go into the application of special talents they have honed to perfection.
You might be a beginner, or you might be a pro; in either case, use what you already know, and your knack for those concepts that you know best is what enables you to create something truly remarkable. The guy who makes a program based some random idea will have a lot of problems and frustration. It's better to ask yourself what you can do well and then brainstorm a programming project idea that is rooted in those concepts and skills.
The project is the time for applying what you know. Represent yourself well in this situation by letting your project idea emerge naturally in a demonstration of what you've already learned. Don't try to learn new things. : )
Below, you can find a basic structure for your process: List tasks you need to complete; Structure a framework for your data; Sketch interface; Build prototype and test.
1. List all necessities in order of increasing difficulty. The list should be short, so you can easily remember the items on it.
2. Design a system to store the data, present it on screen, or manipulate it.
3. Design an ER model and check them using a documented form of your project.
4. The model designed is implemented using Oracle, MySQL, or RDBMS.
5. Database is designed and implemented as per user requirements.
6. Design user interface.
7. Create forms/screens/pages using GUI builder, HTML, PHP, or Visual Basic.
8. If you test the data, make sure you can save it in a script form so that you can run it again if you re-create the database.
9. Crosscheck user interface against requirements and verify if it allows users to do anything they are supposed to be able to do. Establish whether database contains data user interface requires, and if it gives access to all data inside it.