Any suggestion for an undergraduate senior project for Computer Science?

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05-11-2003
beyonddc

Any suggestion for an undergraduate senior project for Computer Science?

I'm taking a class named Senior Project. Basically it is an independent study class where you spend a semester to develop a program you like.

This is my senior project, so it will be my last class where I can show what I been learning for 4 years. As of right now, I have no clue what I can make. I never really make an actual program before, well I mean, I been learning all these algorithm and programmed it using C++ and tons of design patterns, but never really used all these skills to create a program before.

I hope if anyone can give me a suggestion what kind of project I can make.

I am taking AI right now, so I don't really want to have a heavy involvement with AI.

I'm thinking of developing a Windows application or a game, but I don't know if I'm capable enough.

Suggestion and advice will be very welcomed!

Thanks everyone!
05-11-2003
golfinguy4

A database app for the school that holds all of the students and faculty information.
05-11-2003
beyonddc

Quote:

Originally posted by golfinguy4
A database app for the school that holds all of the students and faculty information.

thanks! That sounds great, but I would want to hear more suggestion from others.

More suggestions please, thank you everyone!
05-11-2003
Mister C

You may want to start something now that is in parts. Great basis for a Master's project!!
05-11-2003
beyonddc

Quote:

Originally posted by Mister C
You may want to start something now that is in parts. Great basis for a Master's project!!

I don't quit understand what you mean. Can you be more specific or give an example?

Thanks!
05-12-2003
7stud

Do you play poker? Write a program for an online interactive poker web site, then when you graduate move to Costa Rica or the Caribbean and implement the web site with a few of your friends and earn millions a year. How? Online poker sites take a percentage of each pot, so they don't have any risk. The more people play and the more tables there are, the more money you make.

Of course, you might not be able to come back into the USA without the risk of being indicted for running an illegal gambling operation, but those laws could change, and being rich and spending your life in a beautiful tropical setting might be preferable.

Good luck.
05-12-2003
DougDbug

Write a program related to something you're interested in. If you have a hobby, is there some program that would be useful to the hobby?

Is there some program you wish you owned, but can't afford to buy? Write your own version.

Your advisor (professor) will have to approve the idea. He probably has ideas too. But, if you take one of his ideas, it might become his project, and you'll have to do everything his way!

I'm a bit surprised that, going to your fourth year of computer science, you aren't already working on some personal programs. Do you like programming? The good news is that your employeer won't be asking you for programming ideas!

Your Senior Project should show what you've learned.

I think that the "product" is the most important thing. I would think that at least half of your effort should go toward producing a useful, user friendly, impressive program. Don't get too bogged-down in research... it's the output that's important. At least that's what I think, but you'll have to confirm that with your advisor.

Your Senior Project will probably be the most interesting thing on your resume too. And, something you can show a potental employeer.

Allow yourself lots of "extra" time. Projects always take more time than expected, because the things that go better than expected, don't save as much time as is lost by things that go worse than expected.
05-12-2003
beyonddc

Quote:

Originally posted by DougDbug
Write a program related to something you're interested in. If you have a hobby, is there some program that would be useful to the hobby?

Is there some program you wish you owned, but can't afford to buy? Write your own version.

Your advisor (professor) will have to approve the idea. He probably has ideas too. But, if you take one of his ideas, it might become his project, and you'll have to do everything his way!

I'm a bit surprised that, going to your fourth year of computer science, you aren't already working on some personal programs. Do you like programming? The good news is that your employeer won't be asking you for programming ideas!

Your Senior Project should show what you've learned.

I think that the "product" is the most important thing. I would think that at least half of your effort should go toward producing a useful, user friendly, impressive program. Don't get too bogged-down in research... it's the output that's important. At least that's what I think, but you'll have to confirm that with your advisor.

Your Senior Project will probably be the most interesting thing on your resume too. And, something you can show a potental employeer.

Allow yourself lots of "extra" time. Projects always take more time than expected, because the things that go better than expected, don't save as much time as is lost by things that go worse than expected.

I do have some ideas, but I just want to see what you guys say before I make my decision. I do want to develop a program and apply the algorithm and design that I learned from school, but I can't think if any program that will require it. Maybe it does, just that I didn't notice.

My idea
A calender program that will display the calender on the desktop. When you click on any date on the calender, it will have a menu where you can choice to add in your comments such as appointment and stuffs like that.
The comments can be saved as flat file, but I can get it more interesting by using MYSQL as database to store information, and use C++ as a client to retrieve and write data to it.
In this case, the calender program can be run anyway if MYSQL server is running.

How's this idea?
05-12-2003
Noobie

Make a text based rpg computer game. If you want some framework code, email me at [email protected]
05-12-2003
Nuke

I think it's an awesome idea! :D

Edit: Oops, someone posted before my message got sent. lol. The text RPG might not be enough for a senior project. (I'm assuming that you've been taking programming classes for a while)
05-13-2003
axon

I'm also really surprised that this assignment came only in your senior project! I am a Computer Science Engineering student, and this was my first smester in C++ and at least 3 out of the five programs I had to write are somewhat useful.

One of the programs was an Image manipulator; it was simple and text based. You could probably do something with a nice graphical interface for windows (photoshop stlye). This program was made using CxImage library, if you are interested do a google search, or reply to this post and I'll give you more info,

axon
05-13-2003
beyonddc

Quote:

Originally posted by axon
I'm also really surprised that this assignment came only in your senior project! I am a Computer Science Engineering student, and this was my first smester in C++ and at least 3 out of the five programs I had to write are somewhat useful.

One of the programs was an Image manipulator; it was simple and text based. You could probably do something with a nice graphical interface for windows (photoshop stlye). This program was made using CxImage library, if you are interested do a google search, or reply to this post and I'll give you more info,

axon

What CxImage library does? I'm just curious, thanks

and...
What do I need to know if I want to use C++ as a frontend and use MySQL as a backend. I mean how do I link between those? I went to MySQL.org and I saw there's MyODBC and MySQL++.

MySQL++ is a C++ API that allows C++ to connect to MySQL.

I'm just wondering which one I should use? MyODBC or MySQL++?
Thanks!
05-14-2003
CornedBee

mysql++. It's an API in C++ style, while MyODBC is just an ODBC driver for MySQL, which means that you have the WinAPI or COM to access the database.