Ideas for a beginner to program

I've started mentoring a young student - teaching him LabVIEW. He
is enjoying it and we have covered the basics. Now I need to come up
with a project for him to start writing a program(s) on his own. For
the time being, I would like to keep it to calculations/analysis/display
kinds of things (no Daq hardware). I was wondering if anyone had ideas
(or previous experience) of such kinds of programs - something
relatively easy at this point, but useful/fun enough to keep him interested.
Thanks,
Dave
David Thomson Original Code Consulting
www.originalcode.com
National Instruments Alliance Program Member
Certified LabVIEW Architect
There are 10 kinds of people: those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Here is an idea for a nice little project would be:
(assuming no Daq or GPIB hardware).
Open a binary file. Parse the file to identify the OP codes and operands. Translate it to "english". Display the translation and write it to another file.
You can expand to opening a serial port, communicating to a serial device. Interpret the data (especially if there is some sort of waveform to analyze). Plot the data "real-time". Display warnings or conditions if low or high limits are reached, or if a number of samples has been achieved.
Prompt for user intervention (what to do with the data, ie: save it to file, display it, print it, etc). Allow for user control of the vi (Run / Pause / Stop / Abort).
The above should provide basic functionality where ther
e is no instrument to control or a data-acquisition system to monitor.
Are you looking for real projects? Maybe a bit more challenging?
Regards,
-JLV-

Similar Messages

Any ideas for a (fairly) simple program?

Does anybody have any ideas for a fairly simple program that I could try to write (I am a fair programmer, but I'm not to creative)?

You know, Java Game Programming for Dummies is actually a pretty good book (despite the "Dummies" part!) It is written in 1.0, but it has a "ponglet", card games, and several maze games. All the applets I've tried from them actually work (some typos in the book itself, but the CD is ok). Any of these could be "starter" code.
Yahoo has a whole bunch of Java applet games. You could try to reproduce pieces of the games you see. (These are also interesting in the sense that you can immediately see what works in a game and what doesn't.)
It is always fun to write little components. Cool buttons (write a nice little non-rectangular button that lights up or something), text boxes that look like digital displays, funny text labels (maybe with a weird font or with letters that jump all over the place when you mouse over them).. These don't take a whole lot of time to write, but write them well and they are very useful for your future games.
Enjoy!
:) jen

Help for a Beginner's Program

Hello, I'm fairly new to the Java language. Recently I was writing a program revolving around the creation of classes and constructors...my code looks like this:
import java.util.Scanner;
class Money{
     private static int dollars, cents;
     Money(int dollars, int cents){
     Money(int dollars){
     Money(){
     static Money add(Money n,Money n2){
          return (n + n2);
     static Money minus(Money n,Money n2){
          return (n + n2);
     public static boolean equals(int m, int m2){
          if((m == dollars) && (m2 == cents));
               return true;
     public String toString(){
          return ("Dollars = "+ getDollars() + " " + "Cents =" + getCents());
     public static int getDollars(){
          return (dollars);
     public static int getCents(){
          return (cents);
     public static void setDollars(int n){
          dollars = n;
     public static void setCents(int n2){
          cents = n2;
class Program2_5{
     public static void main (String [] a) {
          Scanner kb= new Scanner (System.in);
          System.out.println ("Enter the amount of dollars");
          int d=kb.nextInt();
          System.out.println ("Enter the amount of cents");
          int c=kb.nextInt();
          Money.setDollars(d);
          Money.setCents(c);
          System.out.println (Money.toString());
The main part of my code is just to simply make sure the methods actually work. When i go to compile my code I get three errors revolving around three specific lines.
Error 1= {Operator + cannot be applied to Money, Money}
*static Money add(Money n,Money n2){*+
*     return (n n2);*+
Error 2= {Same as Error 1}
*static Money minus(Money n,Money n2){*+
*     return (n n2);*+
Error 3={non-static method toString() cannot be referenced from a static context}
*public String toString(){*+
*     return ("Dollars = " getDollars() + " " + "Cents =" + getCents());*+
In order to fix Error 3 i tried to place static in front of String toString() but got an error about the Money String toString() cannot override the Object StringtoString()
I have been working with this program for hours on and off and would really appreciate it if someone with more experience could help me...Thank You

I think there are a few things that could help you out. Firstly, amounts are generally not looked at as dollars and cents separately. You can always go back and change it, but I'd code it a bit more like this:
import java.util.Scanner;
public class Money {
private double amount;
public Money() {
    this(0.0);
public Money(double amount) {
    setAmount(amount);
public void setAmount(double amount) {
    this.amount = amount;
public double getAmount() {
    return(amount);
public void add(double amount) {
    setAmount(getAmount()+amount);
public void minus(double amount) {
    setAmount(getAmount()-amount);
public boolean equals(double amount) {
    if (getAmount() == amount)
      return true;
    return false;
public String toString() {
    return ("Amount = "+getAmount());
public static void main (String [] argv) {
    Scanner kb= new Scanner (System.in);
    System.out.println("Enter initial amount");
    double a=kb.nextDouble();
    Money money = new Money(a);
    System.out.println(money.toString());
    System.out.println("Enter amount to add");
    a=kb.nextDouble();
    money.add(a);
    System.out.println(money.toString());
    System.out.println("Enter amount to subtract");
    a=kb.nextDouble();
    money.minus(a);
    System.out.println(money.toString());
    System.out.println("Enter amount to compare");
    a=kb.nextDouble();
    System.out.println(money.equals(a));
}Hope it helps you out.

Jbuilder for a beginner?

Is jbuilder a good tool for someone who is knew to java to learn on, or is there a better IDE for a beginner to use?

true. echoing the sentiments of other developers - a newbie to Java would be advised to not use an IDE to learn the language although it'd make u move faster with your learning but the tradeoff is you tend to lose touch with the ground work and basics - the nuts and bolts of the language and without the foundation there's not much chance of higher learning possible.
Start with any simple freely available text editor - vi, notepad, edit, whatever that can help you create a file and save to .java - download the sdk available on the sun site and install. Next use a simple text editor and refer the sun tutorials or any book (whichever u prefer) and start working out the text editor way. Going forward once you are comfortable with the language and compiling, running and debugging programs, you could consider using an IDE - esp. if you are gonna do some professional programming or at work.

Ideas For a Simple Program?

I need some ideas for a simple program for a project in class. Can anyone help me?

Import Classes
import java.io.*;
public class tictactoe
Define Variables
public static InputStreamReader ISR = new InputStreamReader(System.in);
public static BufferedReader BFR = new BufferedReader(ISR);
public static String BOX[][] = new String[3][3]; //Integer Arry for tictactoe box
public static String PName; //Moving Player's Name
public static String P1Name; //Player 1 Name
public static String P2Name; //Player 2 Name
public static String InputPLY; //X or O
public static String InputStr; //Player's Input
public static boolean BreakLoop; //Set this to true in PlayGame() to exit
public static void main(String args[]) throws IOException
InputPLY = "O";
BreakLoop = false;
ClearBOXCache();
PrintCredits();
System.out.println("");
System.out.println("PLEASE ENTER PLAYER 1 NAME");
P1Name = BFR.readLine();
System.out.println("PLEASE ENTER PLAYER 2 NAME");
P2Name = BFR.readLine();
System.out.println("");
System.out.print("\nWelcome ");
System.out.print(P1Name);
System.out.print(" and ");
System.out.println(P2Name);
System.out.println("");
System.out.println(P1Name + " = X");
System.out.println(P2Name + " = O");
PlayGame();
PrintCredits();
BFR.readLine();
System.exit(0);
public static void DrawGrid()
This function is to draw the tictactoe grid.
System.out.println("");
System.out.println("\t/-----------------------------\\");
System.out.println("\t|-------- TIC TAC TOE --------|");
System.out.println("\t|-----------------------------|");
System.out.println("\t| | | |");
System.out.println("\t| " + BOX[0][0] + " | " + BOX[0][1] + " | " + BOX[0][2] + " |");
System.out.println("\t| | | |");
System.out.println("\t|-----------------------------|");
System.out.println("\t| | | |");
System.out.println("\t| " + BOX[1][0] + " | " + BOX[1][1] + " | " + BOX[1][2] + " |");
System.out.println("\t| | | |");
System.out.println("\t|-----------------------------|");
System.out.println("\t| | | |");
System.out.println("\t| " + BOX[2][0] + " | " + BOX[2][1] + " | " + BOX[2][2] + " |");
System.out.println("\t| | | |");
System.out.println("\t\\-----------------------------/");
public static void PrintCredits()
This function is to print credits. Intended for startup and ending
System.out.println("");
System.out.println("");
System.out.println("\t-------------------------------");
System.out.println("\t--------- TIC TAC TOE ---------");
System.out.println("\t-------------------------------");
System.out.println("");
System.out.println("\t-------------------------------");
System.out.println("\t---- MADE BY WILLIAM CHAN! ----");
System.out.println("\t-------------------------------");
public static void ClearBOXCache()
This function is to clear the BOX's cache.
It is intended for restarting a game
BOX[0][0] = " ";
BOX[0][1] = " ";
BOX[0][2] = " ";
BOX[1][0] = " ";
BOX[1][1] = " ";
BOX[1][2] = " ";
BOX[2][0] = " ";
BOX[2][1] = " ";
BOX[2][2] = " ";
public static void CheckWin(String PLYW) throws IOException
This function is to check if a player wins
for (int X = 0; X < 3; X++)
if (BOX[X][0].equals(PLYW) && BOX[X][1].equals(PLYW) && BOX[X][2].equals(PLYW))
PrintWin(PLYW);
for (int Y = 0; Y < 3; Y++)
if (BOX[0][Y].equals(PLYW) && BOX[1][Y].equals(PLYW) && BOX[2][Y].equals(PLYW))
PrintWin(PLYW);
if (BOX[0][0].equals(PLYW) && BOX[1][1].equals(PLYW) && BOX[2][2].equals(PLYW))
PrintWin(PLYW);
else if (BOX[0][2].equals(PLYW) && BOX[1][1].equals(PLYW) && BOX[2][0].equals(PLYW))
PrintWin(PLYW);
else if (!BOX[0][0].equals(" ") && !BOX[0][1].equals(" ") && !BOX[0][2].equals(" ") && !BOX[1][0].equals(" ") && !BOX[1][1].equals(" ") && !BOX[1][2].equals(" ") && !BOX[2][0].equals(" ") && !BOX[2][1].equals(" ") && !BOX[2][2].equals(" "))
ClearBOXCache();
System.out.println("Tie Game!");
BFR.readLine();
System.out.println("Game has restarted");
public static void PrintWin(String PrintWinner) throws IOException
This function is to print which player won
if (PrintWinner.equals("X"))
System.out.println(P1Name + " wins!");
System.out.println(P2Name + " loses!");
else if (PrintWinner.equals("O"))
System.out.println(P2Name + " wins!");
System.out.println(P1Name + " loses!");
BFR.readLine();
ClearBOXCache();
System.out.println("Game has restarted!");
public static void PrintInstruction(String PLYINSTR)
This function is to give instruction to the player
if (PLYINSTR.equals("X"))
PName = (P1Name);
else if (PLYINSTR.equals("O"))
PName = (P2Name);
System.out.println("");
System.out.println(PName + ":");
System.out.println("PLEASE MAKE YOUR MOVE");
System.out.println("");
System.out.println("TL = TOP LEFT BOX, TM = TOP MIDDLE BOX, TR = TOP RIGHT BOX");
System.out.println("ML = MIDDLE LEFT BOX, MM = MIDDLE MIDDLE BOX, MR = MIDDLE RIGHT BOX");
System.out.println("BL = BOTTOM LEFT BOX, BM = BOTTOM MIDDLE BOX, BR = BOTTOM RIGHT BOX");
public static void PlayGame() throws IOException
This function is the main game function.
It calls other game functions.
Define Variables
while(true)
if (InputPLY.equals("O"))
InputPLY = "X";
else if (InputPLY.equals("X"))
InputPLY = "O";
while(true)
PrintInstruction(InputPLY);
InputStr = BFR.readLine(); //Player's move
Check player's move
if (InputStr.equals("TL"))
if (BOX[0][0].equals(" "))
BOX[0][0] = InputPLY;
break;
else if (InputStr.equals("TM"))
if (BOX[0][1].equals(" "))
BOX[0][1] = InputPLY;
break;
else if (InputStr.equals("TR"))
if (BOX[0][2].equals(" "))
BOX[0][2] = InputPLY;
break;
else if (InputStr.equals("ML"))
if (BOX[1][0].equals(" "))
BOX[1][0] = InputPLY;
break;
else if (InputStr.equals("MM"))
if (BOX[1][1].equals(" "))
BOX[1][1] = InputPLY;
break;
else if (InputStr.equals("MR"))
if (BOX[1][2].equals(" "))
BOX[1][2] = InputPLY;
break;
else if (InputStr.equals("BL"))
if (BOX[2][0].equals(" "))
BOX[2][0] = InputPLY;
break;
else if (InputStr.equals("BM"))
if (BOX[2][1].equals(" "))
BOX[2][1] = InputPLY;
break;
else if (InputStr.equals("BR"))
if (BOX[2][2].equals(" "))
BOX[2][2] = InputPLY;
break;
else if (InputStr.equals("RESTART"))
ClearBOXCache();
System.out.println("");
System.out.println("GAME RESTARTED!");
System.out.println("");
break;
else if (InputStr.equals("QUIT"))
BreakLoop = true;
break;
if (BreakLoop == true)
break;
DrawGrid();
CheckWin(InputPLY);
}

I have an idea for an iPhone app that I believe would be marketable. However, I have no talent towards writing software. How does I find a reputable programer that would be will to develop and split proceeds?

I have an idea for an iPhone app that I believe would be marketable. However, I have no talent towards writing software. How does I find a reputable programer that would be will to develop and split proceeds?

Find an app you like. Contact the developer of that app and see if they are interested.

What is the best IDE for database programming in java?

im just new to java, i have experience in powerbuilder and visual basic. Im looking for an IDE for JAVA Database Programming that have same ease of use of the GUI builder of visual basic and power of the Datawindow in Powerbuilder.
What is the best IDE for database programming in java?

hey sabre why not just help me? instead of posting
annoying replies. You want me to browse all the post
two weeks ago to find what im looking for. stoopsMost regulars to this forum find X-posting annoying. Since you are lazy and want me to search the posts of the last couple of week for you, I find you very annoying.

Which is the best user-friendly IDE for swing program development

Which is the best user-friendly IDE for swing program development

I have seen Sun's Forte and IBM's Visual Age for Java.
But Borland's JBulider 7 Personal Edition is far more superior than any of these.Borland's JBuilder is the Best.
Ranga.

Ideas for program

I am currently studying for higher ed, and taking a class that includes AS3 teachings. For my exams I am expected to present a program I've made, and I can make anything I care for, it should be of some size and so I am having difficulties choosing something that would be easy enough to be made in a couple of months, but challenging enough to show my skills.
I am looking for ideas for what I can make that fits these criterias, all suggestions are welcome

The first thing you need to do is assess what skills you have or wish to demonstrate. If you don't yet have the skills this can make choosing a project more difficult because learning new skills is more time consuming than demonstrating them. Anyone with the skills and a couple of months to spare could create an impressively large project for themselves.
So if you already have the skills, then you should aim at something in the form of a service-provider web site that has multiple interactive features and relies on imported content/data. Maybe something in the way of a dating site where people can sign up, submit photos, fill out forms, be analyzed thru automated evaluations, get matched with others, watch marketing movieclips designed to lure them into signing up, etc... I don't want to stress a dating site, but something that covers a number of different types of presentations, processing, and data delivery elements.
If you don't already have the skills, and are expected to learn them over the same months that you are expected to be creating this project, then you should refer to whatever course syllabus you have, maybe even discuss it with the instructor and other students, so that you'll have a better idea of the expectations of this project's scope.

Ideas for synth programing

I'm having fun playing with (learning) about programing the syths that are built into Logic Express. I've read the manuals about how the various synths work and how programing works etc...
I was wondering if there was some type of website or forum where folks share settings, patches and programing ideas for LE synths. In other words, if say someone were to program a great "mini-moog" lead sound for example, I would like to know about it.
Can patches be shared between users? Or would an explaination of a patch ex. set the filter to 2 o clock, set the modulation to 9 o clock be the way to share patches.
I think it would speed up my programing learning if I knew some nice sounds that people had found and tweaked them myself to learn how they were made.
Any thoughts,
Morris

Hi Morris,
your own created patches are saved (using default folder) into
Library/Application Support/Logic/Plug-in Settings/"Pluginname"/...
They are .pst files so you can transfer them where you want.
About sharing your opinion and sounds give a look at the Logic User Group on Yahoo Groups; there you'll find shared patches too.
Note: http://logic-users.org/ is exactly the same group but the menu file, where patches are stored, is only on the original Yahoo group.
cheers
rob

Free ide for gui programming

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No one can answer the question of which one is better. It's like answering the question - is red more beautiful than yellow?
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/kaj

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Hello imac-users, my problem is: the superdrive accepts normal CDs, DVDs and is also burning them - for example music from itunes. But today I inserted 2 program DVDs - photoshop elements / Adobe and ms office 2011 for mac - and the superdrive does not accept them. After some seconds of running and noise, the DVDs are ejected - also no icon for the DVD on the desctop. So I think, it has something to do with OS X and not with the superdrive. Does anybody having the same problem - and an idea for a solution?

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Someone on this forum suggested, that USB3 may interfere with the magic mouse.
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Ideas for new Java Program

I'm looking for some ideas of simple java programs that I can use for a final project at school. Anyone got ideas?
Thanks, G

TuringPest wrote:
Encephalopathic wrote:
yawmark wrote:
[Ideas for student projects|http://www.mindprod.com/projects/projects.html].
Typo. Correct site: [http://www.mindprod.com/project/projects.html|http://www.mindprod.com/project/projects.html]
"sanity checker" was not as cool as it sounded.
i imagined some sort of luscher color test + response time checker psychological monitoring system.that wouldn't be nice for the kids as it would give them unexpected (to them) output when they ran it on themselves...

How to make a really basic pong game for a beginner

Hello. I've read through a couple of threads on here dealing with making a game of pong in LabView, but in them the users had questions with far more complex aspects of the program than I want to deal with. I am a beginner programmer in LabView with limited experience in Java and Visual Basic programming. I was tasked with creating a game over winter break, and now that I finally have some time (this weekend that is), I decided that I'd make a really simple game of pong. However, I have seriously overestimated the difficulty of this for a beginner who has very limited knowledge of Lab View.
I ask you to please have some patience with me.
I know what I want to do, and just need help inplementing it.
Here is the idea for my design to keep it as simple as possible:
-Create a field (I am not sure what to use for this, but from my reading it appears that some sort of a picture output is needed, but I cannot find that anywhere).
-Set up some simple function that can output the dimensions of this field to use with collision tracking.
-Create a ball that can be tracked by the program.
-From my reading I understand that the simplest way to "bounce" the ball off the sides appears to simply reverse the X velocity of the ball when it strikes the vertical boundaries and the Y velocity when it strikes the horizontal boundaries.
-Insert some sort of a "paddle" that the user can control with the left and right arrow keys.
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If I can at least get that far for now, then I can move on (with help I hope!) of inserting an interactive interface for the "paddle."
I have found some LabView code for a simple game like this, but it also includes a score keeping loop as well as an "automatic play" option, and I am attempting to wade through all that code to find the bones of it to help me with this, but due to my inexperience, this might thake a lot of time.
I thank you for any and all help anyone may be able to provide.

EchoWolf wrote:
-Create a field (I am not sure what to use for this, but from my reading it appears that some sort of a picture output is needed, but I cannot find that anywhere).
Wel, there is the picture indicator in the picture palette. In newer versions it's called "2D picture". The palettes have a search function. Using the palette search function is a basic LabVIEW skill that you should know. If you've seen the example for the other discussion, it uses a 2D boolean array indicator. The boolean array is only recommended for a monochrome very low resolution display.
EchoWolf wrote: -Set up some simple function that can output the dimensions of this field to use with collision tracking.
-Create a ball that can be tracked by the program.
That seems backwards. Properly programmed, the code always knows the dimension and the ball position. The program generates, (not tracks!) the ball movement. Of course you need to do some range checking on the ball position to see when it collides with the walls.
EchoWolf wrote:
-From my reading I understand that the simplest way to "bounce" the ball off the sides appears to simply reverse the X velocity of the ball when it strikes the vertical boundaries and the Y velocity when it strikes the horizontal boundaries.
Of course you could make it more realistic by keeping track of three ball parameters: x, y, spin.
EchoWolf wrote:
-Insert some sort of a "paddle" that the user can control with the left and right arrow keys.
Pong is typically played with the up-down arrow keys.
EchoWolf wrote:
Now, as I have mentioned I am a beginner with approximately one month maximum knowledge of this software, spread over about a year.
LabVIEW knowledge is not measured in time units. What did you do during that month? Did you attend some lectures, study tutorials, wrote some programs?
EchoWolf wrote:
So for starters, would anyone be willing to walk me through creating a visual output for this and creating a ball that will bounce off all sides?
I have found some LabView code for a simple game like this, but it also includes a score keeping loop as well as an "automatic play" option, and I am attempting to wade through all that code to find the bones of it to help me with this, but due to my inexperience, this might thake a lot of time.
Start with the posted example and delete all the controls and indicators that you don't want, then surgically remove all code with broken wires.
Alternatively, start from scratch: Create your playing field. Easiest would be a 2D classic boolean array that is all false. Use initialize array to make it once. Now use a loop to show the ball as a function of time.
Start with a random ball position. to display it, turn one of the array elements true before wiring to the array indicator using replace array subset.
Keep a shift register with xy positions and xy velocities and update the positions as a function of the velocities with each iteration of the loop. Do range checking and reverse the velocieis when a edge is encountered.
What LabVIEW version do you have?
LabVIEW Champion . Do more with less code and in less time .

Best Book on ORACLE SQL for a Beginner?

Hi friends ....I have just finished my graduation....(BE ELECTRONICS) .....I am dead serious about mastering ORACLE DATABASE......I have basic idea about ORACLE....Yesterday I just installed Oracle 10g Release 2 for VISTA...I just wanted to know which is the best book for a beginner who want to master ORACLE SQL....?????/

its Tutor as well.....But Last word.......Which is
"the" book for a beginner amongst all the SQL books
suggested by my dear friends........It ALL depends on what your short, medium and long range objectives are.
For example: do you want to be
- an Oracle DBA expert;
- an Oracle database programming expert;
- a general database programming expert with a specialty in Oracle;
- an Oracle application programming expert;
- a general application programming expert?
Personally I would encourage being a general database programming expert with a specialty in Oracle. This is probably the rarest of the group, the least understood, and the most needed in the industry. If you were to follow that path, I'd recommend a very very strong grounding in SQL - which 99% of all programmers I've met do NOT have - before moving forward to any procedural enhancement to SQL (such as PL/SQL, Java, TransactSQL, etc.)
I am the first to propose Tom Kyte's books in the right situations, which usually include:
- dealing with someone already reasonably competent in SQL and development;
- someone who thinks that porting from SQL Server to Oracle is a snap, since they are all 'just different dialects of SQL', or;
- someone who is seriously looking for guidelines on approaching Oracle application development and tuning.
For a complete beginner, my list of books stands in my preferred order (one at a time), with the addition - at the end - of Tom's books.

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