Member Avatar for scru

Does anybody know where i can find ideas for small apps/utilities that i can code? I'm sorry to say, but it seems I've run out of creative juice when it comes to coming up with ideas. Here's a little background about what I can do:

I use C#.NET and I can:

1. Work with files
2. Work with the registry
3. Work with processes
4. Work with Windows Live Messenger (only API i learned to use so far...i find it limiting though)

also these basic things:
5. handle keyboard/mouse input, use windows form controls

i know it sounds like a job application, but i thought to point me in the right direction you might need that info. Thanks in advance

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Dani AI

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Several good starter ideas were already suggested by , and . The following organizes those suggestions into bite-sized projects with concrete scope, growth paths, and safety notes that match 's C#, WinForms, file/registry/process skillset.

A tiny 2D arcade game is an excellent learning vehicle for update loops, input handling, collision detection and simple state machines. An MVP could contain a render loop, input handling, one movable object, basic collision and scoring. Keep movement frame-rate independent (delta time) and use double-buffered rendering to avoid flicker. After the MVP, add levels, simple power-ups, sound and a persistent high-score file. When DirectX is of interest, get comfortable first with WinForms/GDI+ to master the core loop before moving to native graphics APIs; use public-domain or self-drawn assets to avoid licensing headaches.

Practical utilities teach real-world I/O and are immediately useful. Examples at increasing complexity: clipboard/history manager with hotkeys; folder-sync with dry-run and conflict-resolution; process watcher that logs failures and optionally restarts targets; registry snapshot-and-diff with export/restore. These fit naturally as tray apps — long-running work should run on background threads or async tasks so the UI never blocks. Always implement automatic backups and an explicit undo/restore before any destructive file or registry operation.

Networking and concurrency round out the skillset. Networking can begin with a simple TCP server/client pair, then add UDP discovery and basic message framing for a LAN messenger inspired by . Concurrency should use thread-safe queues or async/await patterns to keep the UI responsive. Recommended workflow: define a weekend-friendly MVP, use source control, write small tests for core logic, log aggressively when debugging, and test risky code (registry edits, services, installers) inside a virtual machine. Small, finishable projects build momentum and teach patterns that scale to larger apps.

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Member Avatar for jbennet

I am at about the same level but with VB.

Some things i did:

System tray applet using the web services feature available in visual studdio express which can tell the user the weather for thier area etc...

Word processor

A program to display on a pie chart which directories on the HDD use what amount of space.

If you want the code to the weather applet it is available. Just PM me.

Member Avatar for Sturm

how bout a pong game?

Member Avatar for jbennet

Blackjack is a good one. It teaches Classes.

Member Avatar for Sturm

pong, tetris (a bit harder), cheap graphical rpg (the only problem is the sprites you have to somehow acquire), bridge, blackjack, pool (a bit harder), etc.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Breakout. Dont forget that.

Member Avatar for Sturm

Yeah breakout is a good game to program too.

Member Avatar for jbennet

If you are into the live messenger sdk, registry and processes it shouldnt be that hard for you to make a LAN messenger program using Winsock.

Member Avatar for scru

Hold the thought:-/

It seems in posting this thread I forgot that i have one of my cambridge Computing exams in two days. All that gibberish about packet/circuit switching nonsense...blaaaah:S . I'll get back to you after exams are over...

Member Avatar for jbennet

So you are at uni?

I am at 6th form. I just had my AS computing exams

Member Avatar for Sturm

uni, 6th form..Im lost. is this some British thing?

Member Avatar for scru

nah i'm 6th form, cambridge cie (AS is what im doing friday, then A level next thurday). xD I wish i could get into a uni like cambridge......

Reply to Sturm. I think it is. Is the tertiary school structure

Member Avatar for jbennet

uni, 6th form..Im lost. is this some British thing?

basically you leave secondary school at 16 with some GCSE qualifications. You can then go out and get a job.

If you decide to stay in education you can go to sixth form between the ages of 16 and 18 and get A level qualifications.

After 6th form you can then go to university if you want (university is not free but 6th form is) and do a degree

Member Avatar for Sturm

How about if you want to go to a school in the US. Are you forced to do all that 6th form stuff?

Member Avatar for scru

Actually Sturm no you don't, and I'm beginning to wish I didn't. Turns out I did really bad on my A level qualifications so I'm kinda worried that US colleges wont accept me in light of that.

Anyways breakout in Direct X sound fun? (I'm trying to learn DX, lol)

Member Avatar for jbennet

I did sucky on my ASes too

Member Avatar for DangerDev

Hi,
u can try following:
1. making proxy server.
2. a threaded server.
3. a program which watch registry access of currently running process.

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