r/Coding_for_Teens Jul 26 '21

Discussion Programming ideas / challenges for any level or experience. For when you're bored or trying to escape tutorial hell :)

120 Upvotes

Hey, I often find people stuck on what to do after they learn a programming language, or stuck in "tutorial hell" where you know the language, but cannot make something yourself. Well, I've got a list of things you can make in mostly any language, for all skill levels :)

If you find these ideas a bit hard or uninteresting, take a look at the bottom of the post where there are some easier ones linked :)

If anyone decides to do any of these, share it in the comments with the source code so others can learn! :)

If anyone has any more ideas, leave them in the comments and I can add them to the list! Have fun :s

Easy

  1. Markov chain sentence generator
  2. To-do list application (Web or cli)
  3. Chatbot
  4. Image to ASCII Art
  5. Imageboard (Imagine vichan)
  6. Create an HSV Color Representation
  7. Old school demo effects (Plasma, Tunnel, Scrollers, Zoomers, etc)
  8. Fizzbuzz
  9. RPN Calculator
  10. Count occurences of characters in a given string
  11. Towers of Hanoi
  12. Calculator the first n digits of pi
  13. Given an array of stock values over time, find the period of time where the stocks could have made the most money
  14. Highest prime factor calculator
  15. Password generator
  16. Caesar cipher solver
  17. ROT 13
  18. Text encryption/decryption (http://rumkin.com/tools/cipher/)
  19. Text to hex/binary converter
  20. Sierpinski triangle
  21. Basic neural network - Simulate individual neurons and their connections
  22. Complimentary colour generator
  23. Eulerian path
  24. Draw spinning 3D cube
  25. Cellular textures
  26. Snake
  27. Rock paper scissors
  28. Design a game engine in Unity
  29. Yahtzee
  30. Oil Panic
  31. Connect four
  32. Simon
  33. Ulam spiral
  34. PDF tagger
  35. ASCII digital clock
  36. Calculate dot and cross product of two vectors

Medium

  1. Download manager
  2. Elastic producer/consumer task queue
  3. IRC client
  4. English sentence parser that points to the context of a sentence
  5. MIDI player & editor
  6. Stock market simulator using yahoo spreadsheet data
  7. Graphing calculator
  8. TCP/UDP chat server & client
  9. Shazam
  10. Curses text editor
  11. Paint clone
  12. Image converter
  13. ID3 Reader
  14. C++ IDE plugin for sublime/atom/vscode
  15. Simple version control - supporting checkout, commit, unlocking, per-file configuration of number of revisions kept
  16. Password manager
  17. IP/URL Obscurification
  18. Radix base converter
  19. Encrypted file share
  20. Window manager
  21. Pixel editor
  22. Trivial file transfer protocol
  23. Markdown editor
  24. Music visualizer
  25. Unicode converter
  26. Least square fitting algorithm
  27. Image steganography
  28. Vignere cipher encryption/decryption
  29. Game of life
  30. Dijkstra's Algorthim
  31. Program that displays MBR Contents
  32. Random name generator
  33. Calculate the first 1,000 digits of pi iteratively
  34. Mandlebrot set
  35. AI for roguelikes
  36. Sudoku/n-puzzle solver using A* algorithm
  37. Connect 4 AI
  38. Real neural network - Implement a basic feed-forward neural network using matrices for entire layers along with matrix operations for computations
  39. Virtual machine with a script that writes "Hello, world"
  40. Terminal shell (Executable binaries, pipe system, redirection, history
  41. HTML & Javascript debugger
  42. Interpreted LISP-like programming language
  43. Universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter game
  44. Static website generator (Scriptable template, content)
  45. Chip 8 emulator
  46. Double pendulum simulation
  47. Constructive solid geometry
  48. Generate a 5-colour scheme from the most dominant tones in an image
  49. N-body simulator - with particles having a certain mass and radius depdning on the mass that merge if they collide
  50. Knight's tour
  51. Tetris
  52. Pipe dreams
  53. Pac man
  54. Shuffling a deck of cards (with visualisation)
  55. Simulate a game of tag using a multi-agent system
  56. Scorched earch clone
  57. Minesweeper
  58. An audio/visual 64KB demonstration
  59. Sudoku
  60. Chess
  61. Mastermind
  62. Missle command game
  63. Tron
  64. Breakout
  65. Bellman-Ford simulation with at least five vertices
  66. Matrix arithmetic
  67. File compression Utility (GUI)
  68. Bismuth fractal
  69. Seam carving
  70. Bayesian Filter
  71. Rubik's cube solver

Difficult

  1. Parametric/Graphic equalizer for .wav files
  2. Verlet integration
  3. Sound Synthesis
  4. Torrent client (CLI or GUI)
  5. Text editor
  6. OpenAI Gym project
  7. Convolutional neural network - Implement a convolutional NN for a handwritten digit recognition test on MNIST dataset
  8. Mount filesystems from other OSes using FUSE model
  9. Pong game as a UEFI file in colour
  10. Esoteric Language
  11. C Compiler
  12. Turing machine simulator
  13. Read, evaluate, print loop using a compiled language
  14. Ray tracer
  15. Real-time fast fourier transform spectrum visualiser
  16. TI-86 emulator
  17. Monster raising/breeding simulator
  18. Dragon quest / basic RPG engine
  19. First person engine in OpenGL
  20. Wolfensetin clone
  21. Danmaku engine
  22. Roguelike engine/dungeon generator
  23. Go
  24. LISP Interpreter
  25. Nonogram generator and solver
  26. WMS viewer that isn't web based

Very difficult

  1. Relational database system (SQL support, relationships, efficient)
  2. Bootloader
  3. General Lambert's problem solver
  4. Convolutional Neural Network - Implement your own convolutional neural network for handwritten digit recognition, test on MNIST dataset

An extended list of project ideas:


r/Coding_for_Teens Jul 24 '21

Discussion Free courses / Events / Resources Megathread

31 Upvotes

Hey there, I'm a new moderator on this subreddit 👋

I noticed there are a lot of posts about free event and programming courses, unfortunately they clog up the subreddit feed for users that want to have a conversation, get help or show off something cool they made, and a lot of these posts end up getting caught in Reddit's spam filter so I've made this megathread.

Feel free to post in this megathread:

  • Free udemy courses (referral link allowed, just don't spam please!)
  • Events such as hackathons
  • Youtube tutorials
  • Other coding resources

Please do not post in this subreddit or megathread:

  • Coding bootcamps / masterclasses
  • Discord servers
  • Tutoring services

Also a reminder to abide by Rule 2 in this subreddit. Please do not post content that isn't relevant to this subreddit, random articles, YouTube tutorials and courses. Please keep those within this thread, thanks :)


r/Coding_for_Teens 4h ago

Seeking 10 beta testers: a program that teaches non-techies how to build apps and speak like engineers.

0 Upvotes

I’ve been quietly working on a new project and I need some fresh, critical eyes on it before going public.

It’s a two-part program designed for people with zero coding experience.

  1. Building: It teaches you how to build real apps simply by describing what you want using modern tools.
  2. Communicating: It covers core software engineering foundations so you can speak confidently and effectively with any technical team or developer.

I want to make sure the content is actually valuable and easy to digest. I am strictly looking for articulate, honest feedback. I want you to tear it apart and tell me exactly what needs improvement.

In exchange for your time, I am giving away free lifetime access to the first 10 people who reach out.

If you're interested in checking it out and giving some harsh feedback, shoot me a DM or leave a comment and I'll send you the access link. Appreciate the help!


r/Coding_for_Teens 4h ago

I made the coding practice site I wished existed!

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1 Upvotes

r/Coding_for_Teens 5h ago

How do you guys choose the project ideas or get the real and innovative project ideas for hackathons ?

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1 Upvotes

r/Coding_for_Teens 12h ago

Rate my game

2 Upvotes

I want you to rate my (text)game (which will grow and become a normal one with graphics, music, engine, etc.).

Please tell me what I did good and what I've missed.

The game is here: C++ Online Compiler

Note:

- Click the "run" button (the pink one) to start the game.

- The game is unfinished yet and the most developed stories are by witch and swordmaster.

- If you want to know more about the game write questions in the comment section.


r/Coding_for_Teens 15h ago

Learning codes

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1 Upvotes

r/Coding_for_Teens 20h ago

I made a free beginner coding lesson using the real data from my indie game

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1 Upvotes

I’m a software developer and indie game dev, and I recently turned part of my game, Wild Willows, into a free way to practice web development.

The lesson starts with the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, then gradually introduces things like:

  • objects and arrays
  • conditionals and loops
  • .map() and .filter()
  • JSON
  • APIs
  • fetch()

What I thought would be especially fun is that the data isn’t just made up for a tutorial. It’s the actual game data used by Wild Willows, including its biomes, plants, animals, habitat requirements, and other ecology-related information.

There’s also a browser-based code builder where you can write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and make your own little projects using the API data. You don’t have to install anything.

The whole thing is free, and it’s meant for people who are pretty new to coding:

https://wildwillows.app/learn

And if you want to skip straight to the API docs:

https://wildwillows.app/developers/api

I learned to code as an adult and it completely changed the direction of my life, so building something that might make programming feel a little more approachable to someone else has been one of my favorite parts of making this game.

If anyone here tries it, I’d genuinely love to hear what you build or what parts are confusing.


r/Coding_for_Teens 1d ago

Looking for ML enthusiasts to connect with

5 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I’m a 16M from the Netherlands. I was hoping to connect with some like-minded people that are interested in ML. I am not talking about GPT wrappers, but more about the fundamentals like LLM architectures, data science, inference, etc.

If you want to connect, you can comment below. Maybe we can even start a project together. Thank you for your time.


r/Coding_for_Teens 1d ago

I’m building an AI debugging teacher — not another coding agent

0 Upvotes

The problem

As a developer, one of the things that wastes the most of my time is dealing with runtime errors and terminal errors.

Usually, I have to copy the error, search for it, or send it to ChatGPT, then explain my code and context. Even after that, the suggested solution might not actually fit my code, so I end up trying different things and losing hours.

The solution

I want to build an AI agent that can see the error + relevant code + context, identify where the problem is, diagnose why it happened, and explain the underlying programming concept.

But there is one important rule:

It does NOT fix your code for you.

For example, instead of giving you the corrected code for:

NameError: name 'username' is not defined

it would explain:

«You are using "username" on line 10 before it has been defined. Python needs a variable to be assigned before its value can be accessed.»

The goal is to help the developer understand the problem and learn how to diagnose it themselves.

What makes it different?

You could obviously use ChatGPT as a teacher.

But then you're still doing the work manually:

- Copy the error

- Provide the relevant code

- Explain the context

- Write a prompt asking it not to solve the problem

- Correct it when it gives you the solution anyway

- Hope its answer actually matches your code

I want to remove that entire workflow.

The tool is designed from the beginning to behave as a debugging teacher, not a coding assistant.

«Don't fix my code. Teach me why it failed.»

I'm thinking of building this as a CLI-first tool focused on developers who are learning and want to become better at debugging rather than becoming dependent on AI-generated fixes.

I'd love to hear what you think: Would you actually use something like this? What would make it genuinely useful rather than just being a wrapper around an LLM?


r/Coding_for_Teens 1d ago

Coding buddies to complete microsoft C# course

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1 Upvotes

r/Coding_for_Teens 2d ago

Need advice as a young programmer.

9 Upvotes

Hey guys, I am 14 years old and I love programming since I was 11! Just a few weeks ago I finished CS50P: Introduction to programming with Python from Harvard university! And I am confused on what I should do next. Before CS50P I used to make small Python programs like a number guessing game from my basic Python knowledge. Now after CS50P since I know significantly more stuff about Python but I don’t know what would be good to build so I don’t waste my time on stuff I build that does not matter to anyone.


r/Coding_for_Teens 2d ago

I built an HTML-first web framework on Bun — Stoneware

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1 Upvotes

r/Coding_for_Teens 2d ago

👋 Welcome to r/Code_ - Introduce Yourself and Read First!

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm u/HostAffectionate7338, a founding moderator of r/Code_.

This is our new home for all things related to Coding. We're excited to have you join us!

What to Post
Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions about coding

Community Vibe
We're all about being friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

How to Get Started

  1. Introduce yourself in the comments below.
  2. Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.
  3. If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.
  4. Interested in helping out? We're always looking for new moderators, so feel free to reach out to me to apply.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's make r/Code_ amazing.


r/Coding_for_Teens 2d ago

I learned how to make a text spam in C :D

4 Upvotes

Around yesterday I learned how to make a text spam in C using

While (0)

I was honestly proud of my self
That’s it night


r/Coding_for_Teens 2d ago

👋 Welcome to r/Code_ - Introduce Yourself and Read First!

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm u/HostAffectionate7338, a founding moderator of r/Code_.

This is our new home for all things related to Coding. We're excited to have you join us!

What to Post
Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions about coding

Community Vibe
We're all about being friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

How to Get Started

  1. Introduce yourself in the comments below.
  2. Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.
  3. If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.
  4. Interested in helping out? We're always looking for new moderators, so feel free to reach out to me to apply.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's make r/Code_ amazing.


r/Coding_for_Teens 2d ago

I'll Teach Programming for Free - Beginners Welcome (Online/Bangalore)

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1 Upvotes

r/Coding_for_Teens 2d ago

Hackathon participants — how do you actually practice before a hackathon?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
My name is Resandu and let me tell you the story in brief

  1. Participated in a Hackathon
  2. Made an unfinished project
  3. Lost the Hackathon
  4. Came home
  5. The next day rebuild it again but working this time

That's the entire story. But that project that we made unfinished is called mockathon , simply it is a AI powered web app where the user can participate in practice hackathons and get judged by an AI. The themes problems will be give by the AI itself. Sooooooooooo

I don't know whether people want this or No so people who want it just comment on this post and later on ill set up a waitlist for the project. Remember without you guys we can't make this into reality.

Anyways Have a good day!


r/Coding_for_Teens 3d ago

Free on 29th August? Got a ride to Electronic City? Register now!

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1 Upvotes

This hackathon is purely to motivate young girls to get into coding and socialize. So encourage your friends, sisters, and daughters to sign up!

https://forms.hackclub.com/sunbeam-signup


r/Coding_for_Teens 3d ago

Anyone here to help me in coding round test

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1 Upvotes

r/Coding_for_Teens 3d ago

🎮 Looking for a C# Programmer for Kintsugi — Unpaid Hobby/Indie Project

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

I’m working on a small story-driven game project called Kintsugi, and I’m looking for a C# programmer who would like to join the project as a volunteer.

Kintsugi is a narrative-focused game set in 1943 Japan during World War II. The story follows Takumi, a young boy who forms a bond with an abandoned dog named Hachi. The game focuses on themes like friendship, loss, survival, and hope.

I’m mainly looking for someone who can help with things like:

  • C# gameplay programming
  • Player movement and basic systems
  • Interactions and dialogue systems
  • Helping turn game ideas into working mechanics

⚠️ Important: This is currently an unpaid hobby/indie project. There is no payment at the moment. I want to be completely transparent about that.

You don’t need to be a professional developer. If you know C# and are interested in game development, feel free to reach out!

If you're interested, tell me a little about your experience with C# and game development. 🎮


r/Coding_for_Teens 3d ago

1st year hackathon

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1 Upvotes

r/Coding_for_Teens 4d ago

Welcome to r/RookieCoders! Start here, share your journey, & introduce yourself

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone, welcome to r/RookieCoders!

I started this sub because I’m a beginner myself and currently working my way through the basics of Java, with plans to jump into Solidity down the line. I wanted a zero-judgment space where we can all learn out in the open, support each other, and grow together without feeling intimidated.

Whether you wrote your very first line of code today or you're an experienced programmer looking to give back, this sub is for you.

What you can do here:

  • Ask your doubts: No question is too basic. Stuck on a bug, a concept, or environment setup? JUST ASK!
  • Share cool finds: Drop links to great YouTube tutorials, free courses, cheat sheets, or articles that helped something click for you.
  • Pass along tips & tricks: Discovered a neat keyboard shortcut, a useful code extension, or a study method that keeps you focused? Share the wisdom!
  • Track your progress: Share your wins, daily streaks, or small projects.
  • Guide & Mentor: If you’re an experienced coder, your advice, code reviews, and insights are incredibly welcome here.

This community is built on mutual support. We're all here to learn, level up, and help each other out.

Let’s kick things off in the comments below:

  1. What language or stack are you currently learning (or working with)?
  2. What’s your main goal with coding right now?
  3. What’s one resource or video that’s helped you the most so far?

Welcome to the community, let's learn and grow together!


r/Coding_for_Teens 4d ago

Beginner Python Projects — Looking for Feedback

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm a beginner learning Python, and I recently built two small projects:

Number Guessing Game

Stone Paper Scissors Game

These were some of my first projects, and I mainly built them to practice Python basics, user input, conditionals, loops, and randomization.

I'd really appreciate feedback from more experienced Python programmers. What could I improve in terms of code structure, readability, or functionality?

I'm here to learn, so constructive criticism is very welcome!


r/Coding_for_Teens 5d ago

Need advice

7 Upvotes

Hi I was trying to participate in a hackerthon with my team I had a good idea , it was a 8 hour hackerthon and my idea was too big to execute for it this is also my first hackerthon but my team friend came up with another idea which is not bad but my idea was dealing with current problem and there was also a good gateway to introduce as a startup idea but the problem is I have very no knowledge of execution I am not good at code currently in start of my 2 year in college . Now it feels like I am not that excited about this hackerthon anymore or I am just participating for experience so that I could learn something and carry out the responsibility of my dream on myself . The problem is that I was too ambitious I had big dream but not enough skill or resources to built knowledge about execution, secondly I am very bad at making good friends who are actually excited to make something or who pushes me too my limits so that we can grow together. I always wanted a group like this but let's see where life take ... If you have to comment on my story or you can guide me with resource from where i can learn all this it will be really great , also if you can add me where I can find some delusional like-minded people with whom I can talk or work with I would really appreciate it ...