Projects that made an impact on me as a computer science student
As a Computer Science student. We are often faced with many projects. Whether it’s a personal project or a college project. I’ve done a lot of projects. But here, I will share a few stories that I have worked on and had such a big impact. This project changed my perspective from both a technical and non-technical perspective in creating a system.
#1 Permira Website
This is actually the toughest project I’ve ever worked on and the most memorable to date. It’s hard here because I was in the 3rd semester at that time and had to make a system for selecting the head of the student body which would later be used by all students online.
What makes it different from previous years? The previous year the system was also website-based with a different mechanism. Elections are held on campus. Later, the committee will provide several laptops. Next, students will queue and make choices on each of the laptops that have been provided.
In my year. It coincided with the covid-19 pandemic where there was no longer a queuing system by students. All students have studied from their respective homes. Everyone is free to access the website anywhere and anytime. So if the previous year we can arrange 1 class or 2 classes first. In my year, one campus could directly access the system simultaneously.
Dizziness in my head. Moreover, I was suddenly appointed as a Project Manager as well as a Backend Developer. At that time, I did not have the ability to code a website that was so qualified. I remember very well, until I had trouble sleeping for almost 3 months before the event, I was afraid the website would go down because of the large number of accesses at one time.
Why not use the previous year’s coding? I don’t remember why, but without thinking longer, I looked for source code that I could use and then modified it according to system requirements. This source code uses the PHP language and the Codeigniter framework. During the modification, I learned a lot of new things, especially in using the PHP language and this framework. This is my first time using the PHP language and immediately got hold of a project of this size.
Next, I corrected the data structure so that it was not heavy when accessed in such large numbers and I changed some parts of the dashboard display to make it easier for Admin to use. All the new things I learned from the Internet. For the main display, I was assisted by 1 other member who was in charge of tidying up that section.
Finally, the day came where the activity took place. How happy I am that my program can run so smoothly. There is absolutely no down. All of my dizziness suddenly disappeared. I feel like crying, so happy. What’s even cooler, this system can reduce the selection time. Previously to find out the results took 3 days can be shortened to only 1 day. Everyone was surprised that it could be trimmed so quickly. A project I will never forget.
#2 Wikikos Website
This project is actually one of the final assignments in a subject. I and assisted by 2 of my friends were assigned to create a website whose functions have been determined by the lecturer. So our task is to make the data structure, system structure, and design to be real. My role here happens to be a Project Manager and in this subject, I can say that I have learned a lot from the technical and non-technical side.
I am very lucky to have a lecturer who is quite assertive. I remember very well when there was a test and we were required to submit a system design. The design of our system was not as instructed and got a score of 30.
As a Project Manager there I learned the importance of paying attention to an instruction correctly. Do what you’ve been told and don’t go out of your way. My team and I are quite disappointed, especially me as a team leader. But from that process we learned to improve the design of our system properly and from that incident we finally found out that there were indeed a lot of errors in our system.
Apart from that, I also learned how to build a team. What I do is divide the tasks according to the strengths of each team. For the design I leave it to my friend who is good at design. He has skills in choosing colors, designs, and images that are quite good. Next, the small and detailed things, I gave them to another friend of mine. I work on the part that is more of a craftsmanship to the core of the system. In addition, as PM ( Project Manager ), we also have to be smart in managing schedules and encouraging the team. Because each member has their own schedule and maintains the spirit of work until the end.
Come to the day we do the final presentation. After a considerable makeover with the remaining time, we were able to present quite well. Our data structures and systems are working fine. Our system also looks quite good and the details of the system can run smoothly. How happy I am that the team is finally able to finish this project correctly and correctly. The previous value of 30 can be changed to 90.
#3 Quran Story App
As a person who likes mobile development, I would love to have my own application on the Play Store.
One day I saw a friend of mine who often uploads a story of quran with a watermark from a design creator. Then, it occurred to me how if we just make our own story quran easily without having to wait for the creator to make the design with an application. We just select the ayah, then later we are free to set the background, color and size of the text, then we save and distribute it easily on social media. Finally, with the knowledge that I have, I was determined to make the application.
Here I really learned about many things that I never knew before. I’ve had a lot of personal android projects, but for those that are put on the Play store, this is the first one. First, I made a design drawing, then what are the functions, how is the structure of the system and various other things related to the application.
That’s still not enough. I have a lot of knowledge to learn again before my application is eligible to enter the Play Store. I learned how we have to set the right manifest according to our application market, also set the appropriate theme with light and dark mode, and solve errors when faced with different android versions.
When the application was finished, I learned again how to make foreign transactions to pay for the Play Store account, and when the account was ready, I also still had to learn how the testing stages in the Play Store must be completed until finally our application can be live and downloaded by everyone. Until finally, I was able to go through all these processes and finally my application was on the Play Store.
I am very happy when I have my own application in the Play Store. What I’ve been doing so far, such as learning without stopping when I encounter obstacles such as bugs and etc has finally paid off with my app being available on the Play Store.
That’s all my story, hopefully next time I find extraordinary projects that will allow me to develop a lot more and I can also tell all of you.
Thank you :)
