If you are a Java programming beginner, probably, it’s high time that you started working on some Java project! Here, at CodeGym, we believe in the fantastic effect of a practical-oriented approach as theoretical knowledge alone will never help you in a real work environment. For sure, creating real-world projects is the only way to sharpen your skills and apply your theoretical knowledge to practical tasks. And as you start working on your own Java project, you’ll get an opportunity to test your strengths and weaknesses and gain the experience that can skyrocket your career.
Companies are always looking for skilled coders with at least a few Java projects in their portfolios. Actually, your portfolio will be the most valuable marketing piece after completing the course. The potential employers usually appreciate the proven track record of developing projects above all. Your resume will be the primary recruitment criteria for most companies today.
Why Java projects? Simply because when it comes to careers in the Java industry, a project is proof of your skills and is a must-done thing for aspiring developers. So, where do you get started?
Top Java Project Ideas
Below, we’re giving you the shortlist of the most interesting, useful, and engaging projects that can help you get your first job and climb up the career ladder. The following projects are suitable for anyone, from Java beginners to experts and anyone in-between.
A Simple Application
Let’s start with the basics — apps. Creating an app is one of the best ways to practice your coding skills and, sometimes, make this world a bit better. Yet, we understand that it can be hard to develop new app ideas. We recommend starting with a simple app that won’t be too complicated both for you and users (or employers). You can create something as easy as a calculator, wish list, or to-do list. Apps like these will also give you a chance to experiment with the latest technologies and advancements.
The said apps are an ideal choice for beginners. Still, as your skills grow, you may up the ante and try writing a data sync app to facilitate pulling data from one source and putting it at another.
And later, you’ll be able to upgrade it in such a way that when the data gets inserted, updated, or deleted in the initial source, it automatically goes to the destination, i.e., the second, backup database.
For this, you can use the same or two different databases like MySQL, Oracle, DB2 UDB, SQL Server, MongoDB, Couchbase, or Cassandra. Mind that if one database is SQL and another is NoSQL, things will get a bit more interesting. While working on your app, you will gain familiarity with many technologies and complete the SDLC life cycle.
A Management System
As a learner, you may also be interested in creating a system for adding new students into an already-existing database, enrolling them in the ongoing courses, and generating unique IDs for each learner. A project like this will help you utilize object-oriented programming concepts and, roughly, will take about 3–4 hours of your time.
Another popular Java project that may also come in handy for students is a library management system. A computerized database can really save a significant amount of time, effort, and human resources. It records everything made via pen and paper (the number of books, genres, names of books, and names of students who’ve issued/returned books, etc.).
This project is more suitable for 20+ level students since the software involves different modules which handle and manage specific library tasks. But if you’re ready to take this challenge, you can find step-by-step instructions here.
A Multi-Page Responsive Website
A responsive, multi-page, and multi-device website is one that will be able to work on a variety of gadgets and different screen sizes on both desktop and mobile browsers. Responsive websites are now essential since the endless stream of new devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) just screams for them. So, if you’d like to stay ahead of your competitors, go for a perky responsive website rather than a simple one. Moreover, by following clear instructions, the project will not seem that tricky. Need something easier? Then, just redesign an existing website template according to your specific needs. For a fellow learner who is just getting started, it’s ok to use an already-existing website template with predefined design elements.
An Airline Reservation System
In the modern era of traveling, fly ticket services are in great demand. You can see many websites and apps like Videcom, AirCore, Aviasales, and more, which can help users quickly book a ticket from any corner of the world. But what if you create it on your own? An airline reservation system is a comprehensive processing system that involves inventory, e-ticket operations (reservation and cancellation), transaction management, and automation of airline system functions. If you are looking for a cool Java project to add to your CV, you can’t go wrong with creating your own Airline reservation system.
An Online Store
Now, let’s talk about business. Creating an e-commerce store is also a great way to practice the coding skills that can bring you some money in the long run. Of course, the elements required for building an online store or are an e-commerce app are a little more complex than, say, for a social networking site. However, if you’re already an intermediate student willing to get to challenging tasks, why not? In this article, you can find out how to develop an e-commerce app from scratch. The only requirement is the knowledge of Core Java.
A Small 2D Game
If business sounds like not your business (no pun intended), let’s step away from everything too serious and enter the entertainment sphere. Games! This is likely the most exciting type of projects on this list. Designing even a small game is an excellent way to test your skill set and showcase what you can do with it, not to mention you’ll get a cool game to show off in your portfolio in the end. Plus, when creating a game, you soak an incredible amount of new information in the process, which eventually helps you become a better coder as you work through the challenges. And, here comes the following question: what games to start with?
Chess. Give Chess a try if you want to transform a classic board game into a Java DIY project and then play with your friends and, probably, your future co-workers. To write a chess game, you’ll need to create some complex algorithms and calculations, but the result is definitely worth it.
Tetris. This is another ultra-popular computer game that has been ever created. Just like Chess, Tetris will give you a fantastic experience in manipulating variants, artificial intelligence, and input/output.
A Big No-Bug Video Game
Craving for more challenges? Try to create some classical videogames like Mine Picker, Hungry Snake, Pacman, Racer, or 2048. Luckily, the CodeGym Games section offers you a very simple yet engaging way to develop your own games. Building any game with CodeGym requires you to complete a set of subtasks that make up a single game task. And once you finish the last subtask, your game will be ready. Thanks to a very intuitive game engine and step-by-step instructions, you will be able to write any game with no hassle. Just cast your fears aside and go for it! Success is guaranteed.
Conclusion
No one can become a good programmer without practice. Building real-life Java projects is the best way to hone your skills and boost your confidence as a programmer. It’s also the best way to understand whether you have got a practical grasp of the theory you’ve learned or not.
When starting your coding path, we recommend taking on simple yet engaging projects. As soon as you gain experience in developing any of the listed projects from inception to completion, you’ll understand the whole process from the inside out that will benefit you throughout your future career.
To sum it all up, working on Java projects will give you the chance to prepare yourself for an interview and get a good job.
Employers are not interested in your theoretical knowledge. They are interested in how you can translate it in a practical setup. So, it’s always an excellent idea to build a portfolio of your own projects. Good luck!
Why Java projects? Simply because when it comes to careers in the Java industry, a project is proof of your skills and is a must-done thing for aspiring developers. So, where do you get started?
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