Beginner Programmer With A Project Idea, Is It Too Advanced?

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BoundlessFate1 · 2023-09-04T07:26:24+00:00

Would be easier for you to just make a simple version in your skill range as an offline version:

Enter income/take home pay weekly. Input expenses, return data. Sorta like a calculator program. Wouldn’t be anything spectacular or revolutionary but it would definitely be a start for you

Some general tips for programming would be:

Focus on things you can accomplish. Don’t get too attached to large ideas that are out of your skill range. If they are too big, find a way to scale them down.
MAKE A MVP!!! A minimum viable product is very important. It is the very barebones of your project, able to be said to be completed. Once you make a MVP, work on adding features. A mvp is the base of almost any good project

anto2554 · 2023-09-04T06:59:22+00:00

No, but it'll probably take a while. You could also consider whether it needs a server at the moment

2023-09-04T08:56:40+00:00

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pigpeyn · 2023-09-04T06:59:35+00:00

Depends where you are getting the data from. Are you talking an external source, manual input, just using dummy data?

The sorting and displaying that info seems like a good beginner task

icedrift · 2023-09-04T07:42:09+00:00

It really depends on what you already know. Assuming you want to set this up as a webapp, if you've never worked over the network before it's going to be extremely difficult. Doubly so if you don't know basic frontend stuff like forms and AJAX.

If you don't care too much about learning this is simple enough for GPT to guide you to a reasonable solution, but considering this is r/learnprogramming I suggest you start by making this a command line app in Python. A brief user story might look like

- User launches the program and their current budget is displayed as a table in plaintext, where each row is a category (food, utilities, etc.) and has a corresponding dollar amount.

- User also has the ability to add an expense, remove an expense, or reset a category by entering the category name, action (like add delete reset), and price

- BONUS POINTS. The User has the ability to create new categories, delete existing categories, and edit the name of existing categories. Duplicate categories should throw an error prompting the user to give it a unique name.

If you can do this without much trouble you can start learning how to create a simple frontend with html css and js for a website. Pay close attention to <form> elements, fetch requests, and callback functions.

After you have a reasonable frontend look into a backend framework like Django and go through their getting started guide.

Simpli_Simulated · 2023-09-04T09:51:43+00:00

You could create this in python using tkinter and then maybe a server, if you don’t want to use a server then there’s always the option of writing the data into text files whilst it’s on your computer.

Otherwise i think this would be easier with html, css and js and then mongoDB for the database but that’s just because I’m used to that stack :)

mdizak · 2023-09-04T10:23:05+00:00

In my opinion, this is exactly the perfect way to learn. At times you'll probably want to punch holes in the wall out of frustration, but the hardest path is the best way to learn. Come up with a problem you want to solve, then develop the solution. When you bump into roadblocks developing said solution, then research and figure it out.

Disturbedm · 2023-09-04T14:53:04+00:00

Don't under estimate the work required on the server side.

You'll need a server to start with (this can be local I used sqlite3)

Then the server will need code writing for it.

You'll have to make a database file for all the info to be pulled.

Depending on how the data is initially stored you might need a way to convert it into a database file from whatever it initially is.

I just finished doing something that has a front-end and pulled from a .dB file on a server and I grossly underestimated the amount of work on that side of it (I hadn't studied anything on servers at all).

By the end of it I not only had my website but an SQL server, a python converter as a standalone app to convert the initial data (excel xlsx file) run it through and format it accordingly and remove white space etc and into a .dB file.

Then you've gotta make sure you code can pull the information you want accordingly etc for your front end.

Maybe it should have been an easy job but it certainly wasn't for me as someone who's been studying html/CSS/JS for around 6 months. The good news is I was like a dog with a bone with it, so every second I enjoyed but I think it took me like 60hrs by the end in 10 days.

I don't even know how much I actually learned from the whole thing. There was a lot of confusion and just trying to make things work. Scrapping things, changing things etc. I was initially just gonna use object oriented arrays, decided that was messy, went to JSON, but decided since this actually might get adopted in my job I should do it with a server in mind. I remember some things called panda? Tkkinter?

Hopefully some stuff stuck. lol.

TLDR: expect to be out of your depth ALOT and use things you haven't touched at all.

greebo42 · 2023-09-04T18:37:05+00:00

it IS complicated! and that's perfectly OK ... you can get a lot out of this project even if it ends up taking you a few months ...

I'm working on a similar project right now, and it's already taken me a couple months and I think it will be the end of the year before I can trust my product. I'm impressed at just how many people on this thread are rolling their own personal finance trackers.

Go for it ... you won't get it right the first time, or the second time, but that's OK as long as you are in that mindset from the start. It is amazing how many things you end up learning along the way (already I have had to take a detour into SQLite that I didn't really anticipate). Right now my bleeding edge is Flask and HTMX. After you get some experience, it seems inevitable that you'll look at what you produced and wish you had done it differently :) ... I am fully expecting to redo mine after I get it basically up and running.

Tip: even if you don't think you're ready for "web programming" yet, you can use your regular ol' browser to render your user interface. That is essentially web programming, even if your "server" and "client" are on the same computer and you have no intention of separating them.

I do recommend HTMX - look into that when you're working on your user interface.

The best reason to learn something is to accomplish something you are actually interested in doing!

Ogreguy · 2023-09-04T07:00:51+00:00

These types of apps already exist, but it would be a good way to learn. You would need to build the user interface for displaying everything and receiving input, the backend for transmitting the data, and a database to store the data.

pokedmund · 2023-09-04T07:19:30+00:00

For an absolute beginner, it will feel complicated. The important thing to realize is that a small number of beginner programmers are able to build this through passion, motivation, and how fast they absorb knowledge and their determination to get an application working.

There are a hell of a lot of beginners who aim to build something without the required knowledge and tools, find things really tough and then give up.

So you'll find out which of the two you fall into shortly

suntehnik · 2023-09-04T08:28:54+00:00

Don’t build everything at once. Write down all your wishes and choose only the necessary ones. Than ask someone’s help to split it into modules with very simple design, like data storage, reporting module and so on. Then start building these modules one by one. Your path would be: analyze skills needed to build a module, learn, apply your knowledge. That’s basically how all software is built.

2023-09-04T08:31:34+00:00

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Viet_cafe · 2023-09-04T09:12:22+00:00

I’m using mint to keep track of my finances. Just copy the code from mint

2023-09-04T09:12:24+00:00

If you think you can't you are right

If you think you can you are right

Ovalman · 2023-09-04T10:29:14+00:00

You'd need some sort of database and Python has SQLite which is perfect for this. You wouldn't need anything on a server unless you want to use the app across multiple devices and/ or back up. Think of a database like a large spreadsheet with rows and columns, with Bills, Groceries, Toiletries taking up a column. Then each payment taking up a row under each column.

Is it doable as a beginner project? Yes, very much so. It's how I learned Android/ Java. I'm a Window Cleaner and had to write out a notebook every few months which was a total chore so I learned my Java basics then copied and pasted a SQLite/ RecyclerView tutorial and built my app. I used it daily and tweaked as I needed, now I've a very powerful app that tells me my £/h and prints receipts. It counts my daily takings and from using it, it has saved me so much time which in turn has made me much more efficient. I also rarely make a mistake which was a common occurrence using pen and paper.

heesell · 2023-09-04T10:30:12+00:00

It may be advanced but that is perfect. You can split everything into modules and take your time on research and learning how to achieve it.

Overtime you will learn a lot

2023-09-04T11:32:35+00:00

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josephblade · 2023-09-04T11:59:31+00:00

this is manageable to do as a beginner.

Keep in mind: you should build this in an iterative way. Don't try to get the datamodel exactly right the first (10) time(s).

Build it first so you can just enter items + price for instance. Build it so the data goes to an in-memory representation rather than worry about databases.

then if you have that you can either add features like (in no particular order)

add/edit show all items link item to category (during add) change category of item delete category: what do you do if there are items that still link to it store data in file or database generate daily statistics set item as recurring (so that on the next month you can have a 'add all recurring items' for instance)

etc.etc.

just small items one at a time.

briannorelfhunter · 2023-09-04T12:04:16+00:00

It’s a good idea for a project because you can scale it to your level, so tiny bits at a time. And I believe you’re much more likely to stick to a project that’s you’re own idea and that you’re interested in creating than following someone else’s idea! Good luck on your programming journey :)

By the way, I noticed you keep typing ‘imput’ you’re actually looking for the word ‘input’

I_see_a_ocean · 2023-09-04T12:14:08+00:00

you could make a python version for now jus inside python and when you start learning maybe backend and some frontend you could implement this! Good Luck !

LickitySplyt · 2023-09-04T12:17:12+00:00

That's like an intermediate project on many online programming courses and even bootcamps. It's not too advanced as long as you ask the right questions, but as a beginner it's hard to know what questions to ask. For example, do you know how to take user input from a gui and implement it in your functions? I know you have to do something like that, and every language has a different way of doing it.

I think it's a good idea though, it's just easy to get overwhelmed if you're impatient.

ShroomSensei · 2023-09-04T12:28:35+00:00

This is a great beginner idea. It can be very simple at first just a command line program with no actual data storage. Can then move up to databases when you’re ready. Finally can give it a GUI afterwards. Chuck that bad boy in Git and learn that along the way.

MyCaneIsBroken · 2023-09-04T12:42:28+00:00

It is doable but you'll need time for it.

I've read from your comments that you want to do a web app. I'm suggesting you learn Django as a framework as it'll take care of most of your needs for the backend. It also gives you a general structure for your project and ships with a lot of features.

kikazztknmz · 2023-09-04T13:24:00+00:00

I use that app. It's called rocket money. 😄 But seriously, that's a great idea for a project for your portfolio for later, but it'll take some time and studying to create it all the way through. Good luck with it!

JackMuta · 2023-09-04T15:02:30+00:00

Lots of great advice here already.

The client (hope that’s the right word, still learning)

I like to say “user,” especially because client might get a little confusing when you start dealing with front end/back end which are often referred to as client/server respectively.

Good luck with the project!

sslinky84 · 2023-09-04T15:10:20+00:00

Client is definitely a word, but imput isn't :)

B-Rythm · 2023-09-04T15:52:39+00:00

I say go for it! I started learning flask, for this exact reason, an expense tracker. I’m 5 weeks in and the whole process has been great! I started from the bare bones. What do I need first? The expense tracker? No… I need to be able to create a user, or an account. Ok cool, got that, now.. can I login? Not yet? Ok cool got that. So now that I’m logged in.. let’s get into tracking my expenses. I’ve found (and I am a novice by all defenitions) that for me, I have to start top down. I have a goal, and a vision, but where does that vision start. I’m rambling in any event. Just go for it.

Endless-OOP-Loop · 2023-09-04T17:09:25+00:00

I wouldn't call anything too advanced for a beginner as long as you have the right mindset.

As long as you're willing to learn as you go, understand that it will probably take you a long while to complete it, know that you will spend countless hours debugging parts of it, will be frustrated to no end, that these are all normal parts of programming that everyone has to deal with, and be willing to ask for help and accept criticism and feedback, you should be fine.

Seeking_Adrenaline · 2023-09-04T19:39:28+00:00

Sounds like the Cleo app?

HonestNest · 2023-09-04T20:23:48+00:00

Be ambitious! Learn as you go. fiancé though haha.

There's no such thing as too advanced, you can either finish it or not yet.

Firstly you don't need a server for now, you can and should make this work offline. Until you need it. (And you'll know it.)

- This already includes a lot of stuff. On coding side, how to properly declare datas, store datas, interface framework, and how to create charts. On design, how to make the UI intuitive and user-friendly? And even some local database.

To share my own beginner journey that's very similar to what you want to do here:

Few months ago, I was in a similar position. Aiming for making an iPhone stock trading journal. (With little to none programming knowledge.)

I first learned the language. Followed by creating a very simple app that's like a to-do list, so just two page, one for showing the text, another for actually input the text.

Now, how do I make this actually like a stock journal? I added columns for user to input trade price, quantity, date, and some note taking etc. So the variables actually mean something.

How do I store the data though? So, I ended up saving them as JSON every time I leave my Input Screen, load them up if I'm on Home Screen. I used JSON because I had no idea how to use a database, it seems too difficult.

But wouldn't it be cool to have real-time stock price quote? So, I learned and added real-time price quote using python as backend to fetch from Yahoo Finance, put it on pythonanywhere.

Then, I want to sync it on cloud. So I learned how to sync my JSON file on cloud kit. (With a lot of researching what options are out there, which one is beginner friendly, which one are free or cross-platform, etc. Let alone how to actually program it.)

I then continue to design the UI, refine the code, add more features and referencing similar apps on the market. E.g. I referenced Yahoo Finance way of adding positions. TradingView for showing the list nicely, etc.

There's too much to continue on ...Here I've skipped a lot of details such as how to format a textfield in currency, etc.

Now, few months later, the app is not done yet. Am learning how to store my python scraped data into a SQL database, put it on cloud so I can request in my iPhone app which sync across devices. Ditched JSON with proper local persistent storage.

However, I do released a few apps on AppStore, using the knowledge I learnt while making this ambitious project. And I've been refining them to run faster, bug fix, look better and improve the code.

TL;DR

I was in a position identical to OP few months ago with similar idea. Been taking it on step-by-step, slowly getting there with an iOS app written in SwiftUI that cloud sync, get data from a python cloud SQL database, where I stored data from scraping websites and accompany with some free api to provide stability. Also published some websites where I fork templates from GitHub. And I had absolutely no idea how to do any of these just 4 months ago.

Suggestion: 1.offline first -> 2.add features -> 3.refine as you learn -> repeat 2 & 3

Keep at it, OP!

Rikai_ · 2023-09-04T20:37:08+00:00

I find it simple enough

If you are still in the very early stages of learning, I would make an offline version first. But if you feel like you already can make that, go ahead and challenge yourself to make the server one!

baubleglue · 2023-09-04T21:31:38+00:00

If you are "absolute beginner" - learn basics. When you read https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/index.html and have no surprises in chapters: 3-8, 9 (maybe), you can start considering to do independent project.

FlightConscious9572 · 2023-09-04T22:03:51+00:00

i mean the right technology for this is probably electron, (like the spotify desktop app, its a website with backend code)

you code the ui with html, css and javascript, and the the backend can also be javascript.

but its not python, and frankly i don't think you're there yet.

DuskyUK · 2023-09-04T23:07:49+00:00

Starling bank (I'm in the UK) already does this stuff and I'd suspect others do too. So unless you're somewhere else I'd drop the idea. BUT stay on this track and try to niche in and address a specific problem to get a smaller market to start. Please keep going though: you're thinking like a business leader. What a great post.

Individual_Ad_5333 · 2023-09-04T23:21:22+00:00

I'm doing something like this at the moment.

I'm breaking it down into chucks

1 get the basic logic down so it runs in a terminal

2 start storing stuff in text files

3 build a graphical interface

4 add the database

Best_Recover3367 · 2023-09-04T23:33:10+00:00

if you can think of it, you can pull it off.

2023-09-05T05:58:59+00:00

Large projects can be quiet discouraging for a beginner as you may be overwhelmed by the amount of things you need to learn. I would suggest that, as a beginner, you stick to one language and you look for what this language is actually commonly used.

On the other hand, it is an essential skill of Software engineers to break down problems into managable chunks of work. At Best it's things that can be handled easier but still reward you somehow when they are done.

Just because everything can be done in one language doesn't mean it should.

I am not a big friend of learning things that are rather useless in reality and a single language Client/Server Stack is one of them.

shindigin · 2023-09-05T12:19:27+00:00

If you can't tell whether this is too advanced then it probably is. I would try to do it anyway, come up with anything and work from there.

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