AMOHA- Grade 10 IT project (2020)

Summary:

This project was my first project upon taking the elective subject in grade 10. We were expected to come up with an idea for the application independently. It had to be a basic program with no use of databases or any data structures. This project was assigned to test our initial capabilities in creating an interface, input validation, and programming by taking in input, processing it and creating an output. As mentioned before, this application intended to help high school students connect with tutors that fit within their budget and vice versa for tutors.

As this project was done when I was quite young, it has a few errors that I have acknowledged and have discussed below.

Takeaways:

1. Home Page Improvements

• Both the grade and date of birth are taken as input, but I realized I should have implemented additional validation to ensure the entered grade aligns with the date of birth, allowing for a one-year leeway.
• The application targets high school students, so I should have enforced an age limit of 14-19 years in line with the South African education system. This would help ensure that the application is more relevant and functional for its intended audience.

2. Analyzing Section Enhancements

• I initially provided a help button to guide users with the message: "Please select one subject at a time, then enter your mark, then choose the maximum amount of fees you can afford by clicking the 'OK' next to it. Then proceed to select another subject and repeat the same process."
• Instead of a lengthy instruction, I should have disabled irrelevant input components to minimize confusion and streamline the user experience.

This project had its flaws but it was a significant stepping stone in my journey toward becoming an aspiring software developer. It introduced me to the basics of user interface design, input validation, and programming logic. The mistakes I found taught me valuable lessons and I will always keep them in mind for future projects.

This experience taught me that even small, beginner-level projects can lay the foundation for future achievements. Looking back, I recognize that this project ignited my passion for programming, providing me with the motivation and enthusiasm I carry with me today.