❔ Desktop Application Ideas
I'm currently trying to build a messaging app, Solaris, and whilst it's been interesting learning bits and pieces of code, concepts and structures in order to get it to work, as a beginner it's been hard. I plan to finish the app since I know a messaging app could look good on my portfolio but I'm going to take a bit of a break.
And so I was wondering whether any had any suggestions for some desktop applications I could make( which could or could not be used for a portfolio). I want to make ones with a GUI (WPF) to practise, but if there are any good recommendations which work as well as a command line app, then that would be great too
38 Replies
For starters, anything can be part of your portfolio. I have a sandbox project that started as a portfolio item. I use it to test out new ideas (always have), and having that around introduced some quality talking points around lessons learned.
For recommendations on what you could work on, we really need to have an idea as to your current skill level. Otherwise you'll get recommendations from every end of the spectrum.
We assume you're a beginner, or at least a junior in experience level, so understanding where you are really helps us give you relevant suggestions.
What would you say you excel at, and what do you struggle with?
I'll throw the "list of project ideas" on you, so give it a look. Some things might be too hard or too trivial, but it will hopefully give you some inspiration: $projects
Collections of application ideas that anyone can solve in any programming language to improve coding skills:
https://github.com/dotnet/dotnet-console-games
https://github.com/karan/Projects
https://github.com/florinpop17/app-ideas
https://appideagenerator.com is also a nice alternative
App Idea Generator
App Idea Generator is a tool for generating the best and most unique app ideas for your enjoyment.
Though the ideas may be a bit weird
Fairly new to C#, started at the end of may of this year and have been doing a bit here and there whilst still going to school. I'm getting more comfortbale with algorithms, data structures and OOP. I've done some basic WPF. I'd say SQL is probably my biggest weakness since I've struggled most with that when making programs
No problem, you can let EF Core handle all the SQL for you
and still write applications that use databases
Honestly, I'd say APIs and other services in general have been the most confusing. I understand the concept but how specifc ones work has been a bit hard to wrap my head around
I mean, how a specific API works is.. well, specific to that API 😄
some are well designed. some are not
Can confirm, I integrate with APIs all day every day at work. We currently have 23 that we interact with, and each one does everything differently.
EF Core is definitely an API that you'd wanna learn since it makes database interactions nicer via LINQ-style queries
while I fully agree, I don't think the OP is using that broad of a definition of API in this context
whoops xD
Can confirm
If you believe you struggle with SQL, and you want to strengthen your skillset there, then perhaps going back to the basics (such as a simple TODO app) and using SQL to power it would be a good start.
TODO app (desktop or CLI) with SQLite is an excellent idea for practice.
You can do something simple, then scale it up in complexity
I think I made a very simple one that you helped me with a bit
I think I could add some more features tbh
Any ideas for programs/uses that will help me get more comfortable with data strucutes eg hash sets, stacks, queues? I
For example, since you also feel a lack of understanding with APIs, you could also add an API to the mix later and have it handle the SQL interactions on behalf of your TODO app instead of doing them directly.
Mostly used with algorithms
perhaps you would enjoy doing some Advent of Code puzzles?
Though, wait until you get the SQL part down first so you don't overwhelm yourself 😄
Perfect time to practise before this year's event
Will do
thats another excellent idea from hazel - most apps today are backed by their own APIs
so you get to do things the "modern" way and also practice on writing and using APIs
Thanks for all the advice, I'll think about what I want to tackle first and go one from there
One last point; depending on your confidence level, there's no harm in just creating a simple "hello world" setup:
- A console app that interacts with your API.
- An API with a single endpoint which returns "Hello, world!" for you to print in your console.
Then, once you have that down, move the "Hello, world!" to a database table and query it from the endpoint, to get practice with SQL.
You could do that before your TODO app to get more comfortable with terminology and project setup/interaction.
Best of luck!
baby steps, one step at a time
Got it
Also, always finish what you started, or you will end up in a loop yourself
Of course
Any of you know how I can save this thread and not have to dig through the channels?
Not really possible afaik.
I'd copy the entire thread if I were you
You could save it based off-of the thread id.
1165985728455508008
#Desktop Application Ideas
- Save the id (the 11659... number)
- Paste <#1165985728455508008> somewhere you wanna use it from (private server or dm) and it will create a link to this thread that looks like this: #Desktop Application Ideas
Just remember that you can't access threads in servers you're not in (So don't leave town xD)
When threads are archived (after around 7-21 days of inactivity) their links might appear like this (screenshot below)
Clicking the link won't do anything on mobile, but I have checked on the web browser and clicking the link does take you to that archived thread to view it.
Ah ok, thanks
Either that or say a sentence that you've never said before, and search the server searchbox
That could work
Was this issue resolved? If so, run
/close - otherwise I will mark this as stale and this post will be archived until there is new activity.