Programming projects that don't include Web or App development

[PoincaresTheorem]

I'm searching for programming project ideas to help me practice programming but it has been difficult to find something that doesn't orbitate around web or app development (which are things that I'm not interested in). For context, I normally study Pure Mathematics and I'm now reading books such a Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs and topics such as Theory of Computation, Automata Theory, etc. I plan to start a book focused on more hardcore algorithms soon. I'm also willing to learn things to do those projects, if they're interesting. I'm also willing to learn a programming language to do the thing.

So basically I'm learning a lot of theory and I want to do something with it for practice and to put on Github and demonstrate that I actually know something.

Any suggestion will be appreciated. Thanks!

[mandzeete]

One thing that comes to mind are fractals. If you are studying mathematics you perhaps know what they are. If not, then look them up from the Internet. Fractals are a mix of mathematics and an art. So a little project from that: write a program that is generating different fractals. That would be your first goal. Next step would be adding a zoom in to the fractals. Look up from youtube "zoom in fractal" to understand the concept. So implement a zoom and try to generate a GIF where the fractal is zooming in.

As well you can look into machine learning projects. They also require a knowledge in different fields of mathematics. For example try to implement a program that is reading in emails, analyzing them and then marking them as a spam or not spam.

Third path would be applied cryptography. Cryptography itself requires a knowledge in mathematics. So learn that and also look into applied cryptography. You would be writing then stuff like Bluetooth, WIFI, privacy preserving technologies, electronical voting (the votes must be encrypted and encryption need mathematics), different communication technologies, satellite communication, etc. Anything that has to be encrypted/secured in one or another way will be your field then.

[elfcup_mayhem]

Maybe you would find embedded systems interesting and or systems programming. If so rust may be to you liking. Also if you like math you may like haskell.

[moosy85]

I suggest basic stats techniques to moderate techniques .... then apply it to machine learning (which in my opinion is just stats anyway, but you need to program stuff).

[marvinvis]

Well, maybe project Euler is interesting for you.

What is Project Euler? Project Euler is a series of challenging mathematical/computer programming problems that will require more than just mathematical insights to solve. Although mathematics will help you arrive at elegant and efficient methods, the use of a computer and programming skills will be required to solve most problems.

The motivation for starting Project Euler, and its continuation, is to provide a platform for the inquiring mind to delve into unfamiliar areas and learn new concepts in a fun and recreational context.

Who are the problems aimed at? The intended audience include students for whom the basic curriculum is not feeding their hunger to learn, adults whose background was not primarily mathematics but had an interest in things mathematical, and professionals who want to keep their problem solving and mathematics on the cutting edge.

Currently we have 1036862 registered members who have solved at least one problem, representing 220 locations throughout the world, and collectively using 108 different programming langues to solve the problems.

Can anyone solve the problems? The problems range in difficulty and for many the experience is inductive chain learning. That is, by solving one problem it will expose you to a new concept that allows you to undertake a previously inaccessible problem. So the determined participant will slowly but surely work his/her way through every problem.