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Top 10 Programming Projects For Beginners

As a newbie programmer, you must complete several projects to improve your coding skill and increase your chances of getting higher-paid jobs. Therefore, you must be regularly involved in a coding activity.

However, brainstorming ideas to program can be difficult. Thus, in this piece, you will discover simple beginner programming projects to start, even though you have no coding experience.

1. Build a Basic Calculator

One simple programming project is to create a web-based calculator capable of performing basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. If you are a high-school or college student, you should be familiar with this, as you may be required to develop one after your introductory coding classes.

You can make a basic calculator using popular programming languages like C/C++, JavaScript, and Python. However, you must also understand basic programming concepts like functions, conditional statements, and how to receive user input.

2. Design a Website

Website development is a significant project you can undertake as a newbie programmer. Creating a website involves designing responsive web pages using a programming language. Some of the best programming languages to learn in 2023 to quickly develop modern websites include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and Python.

To design a website, you need an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) or code editor (for example, Visual Studio Code) and a web browser (for example, Chrome or Firefox). Furthermore, you must know how to style elements, use tags, link other web pages, and add images using a coding language. Also, understanding visual design principles (UI/UX design) and typography can be an added advantage as they are essential elements of web design.

3. Build a Simple Game

Building a game is a fantastic way to hone your programming skills. It’s also a top project you can easily show off in your portfolio. While there are more complex game projects, there are simple ones you can develop as a new programmer looking to gain experience, albeit you must have a solid understanding of programming concepts.

Many programming languages, like C, Java, Lua, Python, etc., support game development. However, C++ is preferred for video game development because it is faster than most programming languages for running games. Furthermore, you should be familiar with using game engines, which are vital in video game development. Finally, knowledge of database development and management using top programming languages like MySQL or Oracle is a bonus.

4. Create a Customized To-do List

With fundamental coding knowledge, you can make a customized to-do list app to add and remove tasks from your list. JavaScript, HTML, and CSS are some of the widely used programming languages you can easily use to develop a to-do list.

To make a to-do list app, you must create a button, text box, and different functions that add, delete, save, and load items in the list, respectively. However, when creating a to-do list with a programming language like HTML, ensure your information in the web browser is secured. Also, you’ll be using the DOM and local storage APIs, and remember to save your file in your coding folder with the name “listapp.html.” 

5. Make a Survey Form

Companies or organizations use survey forms to get information from a set of people so they can make decisions based on the data they get. Online survey forms are easy to make, and you can create one using top multi-purpose programming languages like C++, Python, HTML, and Java.

Survey forms require a text layout, boxes to input answers, or checkboxes. Therefore, you must have basic knowledge of creating tags, text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, and margins with your chosen programming language.

6. Make a Timer

Building a timer is a straightforward coding project you can finish quickly, even as a beginner with no coding experience. Hence, it is an ideal first-time project, as you can apply it when developing application software, websites, and games. Python, JavaScript, and C# are the most common programming languages you can easily use to create a timer.

To set up a timer in Python, the first thing to do is import the time module from the Python library. Furthermore, you must understand Python divmod(), how to run the While loop, End operation, and Print. It’s as simple as that. Other programming languages follow a similar format to create a timer.

7. Design a JavaScript Slideshow

A JavaScript slideshow is a program that creates a preview of selected images that are automatically displayed one after the other within a specified time frame. Python, CSS, and HTML are other programming languages that you can use to make a slideshow.

To make a JavaScript slideshow, you should be familiar with JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and jQuery. In addition, you should know how to create support for images, controls for switching images, automatic mode, and a text caption using the programming languages mentioned above.

8. Make an Address Book

With fundamental programming knowledge, you can replicate the Contacts application on your phone or even build a more robust address book to store contact information. Thus, C#, Java, JavaScript, MySQL, PHP, and Python are some coding languages you can use to create one.

Building an address book involves buttons allowing users to add, select, edit, and delete a contact. Therefore, a good understanding of creating and labeling buttons for different functions with your preferred programming language allows you to make an address book. 

9. Create a Conversion Tool

Conversion tools are programs that convert an object from one format to another. The object could be a numerical value, document, or file in text, image, video, or audio. Conversely, the format may be a unit of measurement or document/file type. Examples of conversion tools are applications that convert word documents to PDFs, meters to centimeters, JPGs to PNGs, currency conversion, and what have you.

You can use HTML, Ruby, C, Java, and Python, amongst others, to create conversion tools. And to make a conversion tool, you need to understand variable statements (“if” and “else” statements) and how to determine functions. 

10. Develop a Simple Mobile App

Mobile app development is a top coding project to work on, and it is perfect for amateur and professional programmers to master the ins and outs of programming. Developing a mobile app takes between 1 to 12 months, depending on the nature or function of the app.

Java is the primary language for building robust apps for Android devices. In Java, the fundamental programming concepts involved in application development include objects and classes, inheritance, packages, strings and numbers, interfaces, generics, collections, and concurrency. However, other programming languages used in making Android apps include XML and Kotlin.

Conversely, Swift, a programming language made by Apple, is the primary language used in developing iOS apps, while C# and React Native, amongst others, can also be used. Therefore, extensive knowledge of these programming languages is a significant prerequisite to creating an app.

For Android app development, familiarity with build automation tools like Eclipse and an integrated development environment (IDE) like Android App Studio has helpful features that allow you to learn the basics and improve your code quickly. Additionally, there are software tools you can use to automate software build processes— Apache Ant, Apache Maven, and Gradle are some of the best ones you can learn to use.

Top 10 Programming Projects For Beginners – Final Thoughts

There are several programming projects you can handle as a beginner. Furthermore, completing coding jobs is especially important because they help you to gain experience and add to your arsenal. That way, you can easily land employment and grow your career. Thus, we have listed a few easy programming projects you can start today to build your portfolio and master the skill.

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