ideas for A-Level coursework

[xDDunce]

hiya,

For my A-Level coursework, I need to make a program from start to finish (from analysis to user-feedback) and seeing as i have no imagination, i thought i would ask you guys

it can be about anything, really. I would like it to be an iPhone app, but a desktop app would be fine too. i think i have enough experience in both to be able to do most things, anything i can't then there is always google

it can be a game, or a bespoke application, or it can be a command-line tool. Anything really, i just need some ideas to start planning out. something quite complex, but simple enough for a solo project as i can't have any help in programming it (although, seeing as you guys would be my end-user i can technically converse with you directly about the source-code if required beat the system, lol).

so far, i have 2 backup projects. 1 is a simple bootloader, which will load of multiple devices/file systems and executable types and retrieve some basic information. and the other is a password logging/generating app for the iPhone, which will require encrypting/decrypting algorithms, a small database, a random generator etc. and if successful, could be worth releasing(not the most promising idea, because there are about 100 password database apps on the app store, but the idea of the coursework is to make your own version of an improved implementation of an existing system to patch any problems/missing features anyway so... *finger crossed*)

all ideas are welcome.

Cheers,
James.

[Combuster]

I'm not familiar with the details of your schooling system, but over here its customary that you do something which has a purpose for you (and just getting the credits does not count as an argument).

Some concrete considerations: what do you want to do later? What courses did you like most? What subjects have you got the most experience in? You need not post them here, but it will certainly help in getting non-random responses.

[gravaera]

Hello. Interesting topic.

Honestly, I'm not sure how to respond to you, though, since I don't know what you really want. You've asked for ideas on what to build, so far as I've picked up.

I'm honestly not sure anyone will come and actively suggest that you code an XYZ that will do ABC for your academic assignment. I would have thought you'd come and say:

"For my A-level coursework, I'm required to choose a program to build, and go about coding it. I've decided to do a LMNOP program that does QRS."

Then from here, the two questions I'd expected to hear were either of the following.

"I started implementing my idea, but while doing the Foo module, in my bar() function, I encountered a f.u.b.a.r. (0xDEADBEEF) error, and need a bit of guidance."

or: "Having chosen to do an LMNOP program, and using the theory that Mr. Spock put forward on his random implementation theory page, I'm going to do it. But I'd like some tips, and advice on how I should advance before starting."

By a stretch of the imagination, and a somewhat childish one, you could even have come up with:

"Well, I've decided to do LMNOP. But I'm not sure what to do. Or how to go about it. Please give me some pointers."

But you honestly can't expect us to tell you what to do for YOUR assignment...

Come on, man!

Come back with something more respectable, so that you'd sound like you're asking a smart question next time.

[Combuster]

Talking about random responses...

Asking for new ideas is not an automatic stupid question. In fact it should (normally) help get a broader horizon...
Speaking of which, I couldn't find a list of the projects from the "ICT entrepeneurship" course, that might have been interesting. I did find this link which might give you some inspiration.

[xDDunce]

thanks combuster, i liked that link

but yh... my schooling system... basicly, to measure it up to your schooling systems, i'm seventeen. eighteen next year in which would normally be my last year of college (with an optional third year on top of that which i have opted to take). so that may give you an idea as to where i am in relation to your schooling system. i'm 1 step down from university, basicly.

and the reason i ask for ideas, is because i need to take a real world situation and make a solution for it. 2 years ago, in my GCSEs i had to make up a problem, and it didn't go well. i had some good ideas but, because i had made them up, i didn't stick to the goals i had set. i had to keep going between design and implementation and it just became a hassle. this time, i hope to get a fixed set of goals to which i WILL stick.

I have no rules to abide by as to what i can and can't do, only that it SHOULD be a real world situation so i don't stray from the original task.

the reason i came here to ask, is because someone may have a suggestion that they could use? or have thought about making but just have not got round to it?

I'm not asking you to do all of my work for me, I'm actually sort of starting my project by finding out what is wanted/needed. from then i can scan the competitors and see what is missing, what could be useful, pitch my ideas to you and build upon what could be a worthwhile application.

as for my strong and weak points; the only subject i studied last year was computer science, but for the 2 years before i was in the top 10% of the class in Maths, Science (all round - biology, chemistry AND physics), ICT. I'm planning on studying Maths and Physics next year, to get into university in 2 years time. so although those could help, i haven't really got a high-enough knowledge of the subjects to be able to use them for a real-world situation (other than computer science, seeing as i'm top of the class for the past year, and i've been making some slow yet meaningful progress with my OS).

Just to clear things up about the whole "dragon's den" thing, I'm not making the beginner's mistake of "i'm gonna be a millionaire off of this idea", i'm just saying that if i think i would be able to make the cost of the developer's certificate required access the apple developer program, then i WILL apply and pay for the certificate and place the app on the app store. basicly, it's a bonus! I'm sure everyone would love to let their hobby earn them hundreds or even thousands, because they enjoy doing it. but it's a hobby. i just love doing it even for no reward other than "so that's how they do it....".

The reason i say "converse with you about some source code" is if there is, say, a complex logistic required. that way, i can decide on an algorithm during my design stage and implement it more easily, due to a time frame too short to be able to go out and learn something completely new and make an application around that concept.

I apologize for not being as clear as possible. I'm having quite an off day today... i suppose we all get a day like that every now and again. I'll get some sleep and try and explain better another time, if this explanation is not enough.

Cheers,
James.

[clange]

Hi

I would advice you to make a small project. It is better to have a small finished and polished product than half an implementation of an idea. Especially since you mention you have to make it from start to finish including user feedback. Also be sure to get user feedback early - or at least get a friend or two to give you early feedback.

I would avoid very technical projects - your boot loader project might be fun and cool and difficult. But even users that know how much effort it takes is usually more impressed with much simpler projects with some "bling". If you decide to implement something very technical try to use it for something "cool". Using bayesian filtering or SVM to sort replies from a dating service would be a pretty cool use of some pretty cool technology (not the best example but I hope it illustrates my point).

You goal should be to make a professionel product. Be prepared to spend more time doing documentation, testing, user interactions, etc. than actually coding.

Also consider unit testing. This aspect of developing a software product could be the focus of your project instead of ust making an application. It would make your project stand out compared to your class mates' - which can be good or bad .

No project ideas, sorry. Just advice.

clange

[xDDunce]

thanks clange, very helpful indeed.

I was thinking of dropping the bootloader idea, but only if i could find something more... worthwhile, i suppose. making a bootloader, is something i've been meaning to do for a while to get to grips with assembly alot more (having never done much complex stuff with assembly before.)

I've pitched a few ideas to my teacher, and he has only said "well, if you think you can do it; try and do both." I'm going to make a strict schedule for making my final application decision so i don't leave it all to last minute, or i just get bored and change my design plan over and over. hopefully strict enough to allow switching between the 2 projects and leaving enough time to gather user-feedback and process it thoroughly.

I am taking into consideration the fact that the system life-cycle is much less implementation that what I'm used to. usually, i say "i want to make X. it needs Y." go make it and then "it could do with Z" and add that in. i won't do that this time (and if it's easier, never again ).

still open to ideas, through. been talking to some Art student, trying to get some ideas. no feasible ideas as of yet (M$ Paint for Mac... ), but the ideas pool is growing

Cheers,
James.

[JamesM]

Hi,

A-level *anything* is just about ticky-boxes. I did maths, further maths, further maths (additional) and physics at A level, with an AS in chemistry, and not one of them required any imagination!

Just think of something as simple as you can. It doesn't have to be original, it *definately* doesn't have to be difficult. Something in PHP would do. Just something to get you the "designed, implemented, evaluated" marks.

James

[xDDunce]

Hi,

A-level *anything* is just about ticky-boxes. I did maths, further maths, further maths (additional) and physics at A level, with an AS in chemistry, and not one of them required any imagination!

Just think of something as simple as you can. It doesn't have to be original, it *definately* doesn't have to be difficult. Something in PHP would do. Just something to get you the "designed, implemented, evaluated" marks.

James

haha, that makes me feel like a utilitarian... I'm hoping for something more difficult than just a simple command-line tool with a few switch-case statements and an if-else, which most other people in my class are doing (just because they can't do much else). I think i may go with the Password database app, as it's got some complex algorithms (encoding/decoding) and structured file I/O. plus the added bonus of some real experience in programming for the iPhone OS 3.0.

PHP was something i was interested in a few years ago, back before my GCSEs. One of my teachers is supposed to be teaching our class how to program in PHP, and i think most people will opt for using that as it's quite a simple language to get a grip on, as opposed to Java which we've done for the past year and only 3 out of 15 had learned enough to be able to do a full project in it (or even A project IMO).

Cheers,
James.

[JamesM]

Hi,

A-level *anything* is just about ticky-boxes. I did maths, further maths, further maths (additional) and physics at A level, with an AS in chemistry, and not one of them required any imagination!

Just think of something as simple as you can. It doesn't have to be original, it *definately* doesn't have to be difficult. Something in PHP would do. Just something to get you the "designed, implemented, evaluated" marks.

James

haha, that makes me feel like a utilitarian... I'm hoping for something more difficult than just a simple command-line tool with a few switch-case statements and an if-else, which most other people in my class are doing (just because they can't do much else). I think i may go with the Password database app, as it's got some complex algorithms (encoding/decoding) and structured file I/O. plus the added bonus of some real experience in programming for the iPhone OS 3.0.

PHP was something i was interested in a few years ago, back before my GCSEs. One of my teachers is supposed to be teaching our class how to program in PHP, and i think most people will opt for using that as it's quite a simple language to get a grip on, as opposed to Java which we've done for the past year and only 3 out of 15 had learned enough to be able to do a full project in it (or even A project IMO).

Cheers,
James.

Don't overstretch yourself - you don't need much to get that A-level, and you have other courses to focus on too...