A few opinions on a project desired
Hi there guys. I have secured an interview for an industrial placement and they have asked me to bring a few examples of my work, the problem is not much of the stuff we've done for assignments is what I'd call big projects, at least not really anything impressive enough to show my skills off .
I've been trying to think of something I could put together over the holidays and an banking application using a SQL database came to mind as something I could achieve but I want to try and extend it further using a GUI. How hard is Java Swing to use? I have studied threads in one of my classes and was under impression multi-threading would be required to create a GUI but one of my classmates said it wouldn't so I'm a bit confused...
So basically my question is:
- How hard would it be to create GUI/use Java Swing with a bankiing program that stores data in a SQL database?
Re: A few opinions on a project desired
Quote:
How hard would it be to create GUI/use Java Swing with a bankiing program that stores data in a SQL database?
Depending upon experience, this could be medium to hard to way over the top of one's head. Swing is relatively easy to use, and multithreading isn't necessary unless you have long tasks that need to be performed. The SQL is a more advanced topic and requires knowledge of SQL (poor database design is not something you would like to show off at an interview).
Re: A few opinions on a project desired
I guess you're right on the database point, I'm not that experienced with using SQL (I've only done more of a general module on relational databases and normalisation so far). I'm just trying to think of something I could do that is more challenging than the average assignment which so far have just really been testing whether we've learnt the concepts of object orientated programming and Java. I'll try and think of some more ideas I guess.
Re: A few opinions on a project desired
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LDM91
I guess you're right on the database point, I'm not that experienced with using SQL (I've only done more of a general module on relational databases and normalisation so far). I'm just trying to think of something I could do that is more challenging than the average assignment which so far have just really been testing whether we've learnt the concepts of object orientated programming and Java. I'll try and think of some more ideas I guess.
I don't want to detour you from that route, just let you know it could be a tough one. An alternative is to take something you wrote and really improve upon it...create proper documentation, write comprehensible code, and most importantly use principles such as design patterns to allow the code to be readily adaptable and easier to change at a later date - write reusable components, abstract things that might change, etc...I can't speak for the employer, but this knowledge and demonstration of that knowledge is very important. I have some code that does unique things, but I wouldn't dare dream of showing to another soul given I know how poorly written it is. Just my .02
Re: A few opinions on a project desired
Quote:
Originally Posted by
copeg
I don't want to detour you from that route, just let you know it could be a tough one. An alternative is to take something you wrote and really improve upon it...create proper documentation, write comprehensible code, and most importantly use principles such as design patterns to allow the code to be readily adaptable and easier to change at a later date - write reusable components, abstract things that might change, etc...I can't speak for the employer, but this knowledge and demonstration of that knowledge is very important. I have some code that does unique things, but I wouldn't dare dream of showing to another soul given I know how poorly written it is. Just my .02
Thank you for your reply. I did actually do something like what you suggested for one of my latest projects. It was a Software Design assignment project so very focused on the documentation, I was planning on showing it because I'm very pleased with the documentation but the program itself was very simple and I'd like to have something more complex to show off.
EDIT: think I'm going to scratch the banking program with SQL database idea as like you said the worst thing possible is to show something done terribly. I think I'm going to try something I definitely can achieve and do it step by step like I would with an assignment...so basically your second suggestion but with a new program...once I've thought of something haha.
