I need inspiration :(

[Ashylay]

Im a novice programmer looking to make his first big-ish project.

Anybody have any good ideas? What was your first biggish project if you dont mind telling me?

[RhinoBull]

Try to make light Outlook replica...

[Shaggy Hiker]

Find something that interests you. My first project was an AI similar to the game of Life expanded to 3D. I never actually finished it (because I eventually realized that I am utterly lacking in sufficient artistic ability to even comprehend 3D. Sure I can do a transformation....now tell me if I should!), but it spun off some very interesting programs using evolution to solve a variety of complex problems, and led me on to robotics.

Of course, you don't have to bite off a bigger piece than you can chew, but sometimes it's more fun that way.

[Hack]

My recommendatation is to write your own code library.

[mendhak]

A snake game. Sounds simple, but it's got huge implications.

[Max Peck]

Im a novice programmer looking to make his first big-ish project.

Anybody have any good ideas? What was your first biggish project if you dont mind telling me?

Try to think of something that you could use yourself. Is there anything else that you do that could benefit from a computerized solution? For example, in my case, I teach some algebra to our homeschool students. I discovered that there were some things that I needed a calculator for when grading papers so I didn't have to manually crank through the answers; so I've got an ongoing project for my PocketPC that implements some of the algebra formulas I teach. I add to it as I find items that I need to do quickly.

Do you play golf? Write a score-card generator. Pilot? Write yourself an E6B program to do flight calculations.

The cool thing about being a developer is that if you can't find a program that does it exactly the way you want it you can "roll your own".

-Max

[Hack]

A snake game. Sounds simple, but it's got huge implications.

That would be original.

[RobDog888]

If you are not programming as a job then you definately will have better chances of finishing the project and do it well if its something that you enjoy doing or are into.

[chemicalNova]

Switch to C++.. that'll keep you going for a while

chem

[03myersd]

The code library is a good idea. I haven't quite got round to it but intend to. I am going to expand it so that it includes an inventory of my cd's, dvd's, video's, etc.

It's something which can keep being improved as your skills get better.

[chemicalNova]

The code library is a good idea. I haven't quite got round to it but intend to. I am going to expand it so that it includes an inventory of my cd's, dvd's, video's, etc.

It's something which can keep being improved as your skills get better.

I don't think you quite got what he meant.. but your idea is good too.

He means a code library.. as in, a library of code (like, a DLL, or include files.. classes, etc) of useful functions for yourself. Things like, containers, classes, UDT's, string manipulation functions, etc, all in a bunch of code files (or one.. but I don't recommend one).

chem

[03myersd]

No I knew what he meant but I realised that they both would use a database to store information and were in essence very similar.

[Tom Sawyer]

Find something that you like and write code to build an application that has something to do with it.

For myself, I like poker. I have a test app that I created that simulates a poker game and whenever I want to try out some new programming concept, I find a way to add it to that program. That way, I'm learning how to use the new objects or ideas and doing so in a way that revolves around something that I enjoy, so that keeps it interesting.

Since you'll use the same basic coding ideas in 90% of whatever you do, regardless of what industry you're working for, it doesn't matter what the application you build does. Just build something that you'd like to see work and play around with it. It's the best way to learn.