Conceiving the Perfect Java App
As part of my Computer Science course, in fact 20% of the final grade, I must create the holy grail of basic Java applications. I say basic, because there is one serious limitation. It restricts things to well… you’ll see.
No User Interface
Essentially it would run in a window, and you get your nice monospaced font that tell you everything. You can deal with user input, but instead even ugly forms, you get a flickering space, waiting for your response. The inputs also stop the program while waiting upon the user.
Originally, I was thinking of making a simple Twitter application, but that’s out of the question now for a series of reasons:
- No UI. That includes images and fonts.
- I’d have to use a third party library to get it going (JTwitter).
- We’re not supposed to be using our own methods just yet. Sticking to “main” is the protocol thus far.
- While it may be a good idea, it’s not exactly original.
Current Ideas
With this starting next week, I need to have locked down my project and have the structure for it ready to be programmed. The ideas I have so far:
- HTML Builder (of some sort). The idea is a program that effectively builds you a valid HTML page through your inputs. I was thinking of adding extra features like premade JavaScript functions, styling you can set and total control for the user. The problem? No UI. Gah, it bites my ass yet again.
- Text adventure. When I found out we wouldn’t touch on any sort of real interface, this is what initially came to mind. The main problem here is that this will be and has been overdone. There’s a low roof on the potential success of this one.
- Card game. Another seemingly easy way out. I could do something complex like Rummy, which come to think of it wouldn’t be that bad.
Workarounds
I could teach myself via the powers of the internet Java GUI basics, enough to put something respectable together, but time has effectively run out on that one. With the card game becoming a better idea by the second, on issue sticks in my head. Multiplayer. It’s no problem to work that in, but in one console like dialog, unless you want your opponents to see your hand, there needs to be some alternative.
In the end I need something complex enough to impress and be at least a little entertaining, but simple enough to finish completely 110% in 4 weeks.
Any thoughts from the programmers out there?
Leave a comment
Nathan
November 29th, 2007 at 1:33 AM
I was on the same course as you at college .. but then I wasn’t particularly good at it (despite trying!) and left the course after the first year (first year was VB.NET, 2nd year was php/java/whatever).
Sorry that I can’t help you out.. But really best of luck with it and I hope you get it done in time!
Nathan
Chris M Johnson
November 29th, 2007 at 8:11 AM
In terms of the multiplayer aspect, you could try and implement a simple networking protocol (Java makes it a cake walk compared to other languages). Then you have two different terminals interacting with one another via a server. Based on the specifications you listed, the networking aspects would probably stand to impress a great number of people.
As far as additional ideas, I got nothing for ya. I hate projects like these were you have free range except for a critical component (the UI in this case).
Good luck.
Connor Wilson
November 29th, 2007 at 3:51 PM
Ahh, that’s a fantastic idea Chris. The computers are all networked, too. Hopefully the restrictions don’t include access like that.
Tomos
November 30th, 2007 at 8:43 AM
Im currently at the end of my 1st year semester doing comp sci, and we have a java assignment to do. We havent done any UI stuff, so our project is a diary application.
It allows you to add/remove/update appointments, print all appointments on a certain date out, save changes and so on.
Im nearly finished with it, and Ive inegrated all of the above into my assignment, as well as other stuff such as inheritance and so on.
Hope this helps in any way….
D Web Design
December 10th, 2007 at 9:23 AM
Why have there been restriction on the projects?
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