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Right...I’ve been using xda-dev for a while and decided its about time I contribute something back....especially as its my uni holidays and I have nothing to do my software idea is basically something to tell you prices of near by fuel outlets. Unless something like this already exists (a quick search of fuel prices on the xda-dev of fuel prices shows nothing)
Firstly I have no previous programming experience but we all have to start somewhere right?
Secondly what would I use to write the program in?
Thirdly how difficult would such a project be?
Sorry if questions I ask don’t make sense, I am a total noob.
I'm a noob aswell, but from what I can see to be able to do this your going to have to have access to all the necessary fuel prices, which are going to be updated how and from where?
Unless you could get access to an existing sql database, i cant see it being practical, well not for a noob anyway.
Anyone Correct me if i'm wrong.
Hmm i guess its best to learn programming before you attempt to write a software. Visual Studio is probably the best one to write in, and i believe the phone uses .NET. (Which can open up more languages and its pretty damn easy to program in)
Too lazy to write a program myself for PPC, but i recommend Visual C++
Video Tutorials -For programming in windows mobile
http://www.cplusplus.com/ -Good place to learn stuff
As for the difficulty, it depends.
Getting the gas info is the easy part, (ie some gas websites have easy URLS such as www.gasblahblah.com/index.aspx&?area=ZIPCODE
then parsing the page is trivial.
As for the functionality, try looking on sourceforge for some sample coding you can use, such as a skeleton for a today plugin etc.
Its not gunna be easy but goodluck!
good luck
As hirst89 said, it will be difficult. First of all, you need to build an up to date database (go check mysql or sqlite on google which are truly wonderful database softwares). Then, about the program itself, you have to learn how to develop in .NET with visual studio and .NET framework 2.0 (license fees are awfully expensive for the whole solution but you could try light versions don't know if they are trustable go check http://msdn.microsoft.com/fr-fr/express/aa975050.aspx). After that, you'll need a good server with an average bandwith (depends on the country you live in, for france go check www.ovh.com).
Good luck, you'll need it!!!!
goorht
Yeh I think my post only touched on the difficulties of it. How would you go about collecting data from presumably the majority of fuel stations? Especially on a low budget, I presume from the fact that your a student.
And as for the programming, I wouldnt like to guess how much of an in depth knowledge you would need of .net for it to be basically functional.
Hope this all helps....but hope it doesnt squash your ideas and aspirations
Thank you for your quick responses...can you think of any more practical or easier to implement which I could start with?
well you could use c# which is use alot for software running on the windows mobile environment. there is Visual C# express version for free if you odnt want to shell out the money for visual studio.
zeezee said:
well you could use c# which is use alot for software running on the windows mobile environment. there is Visual C# express version for free if you odnt want to shell out the money for visual studio.
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i think i'll start with express and if i enjoy it and get some interest in wat i'm doing then give something else a try.
I'm really worried going into this...i have no idea wat to expect
*just waiting for Visual basic to download and install*
Humz said:
i think i'll start with express and if i enjoy it and get some interest in wat i'm doing then give something else a try.
I'm really worried going into this...i have no idea wat to expect
*just waiting for Visual basic to download and install*
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I had a brief look at creating my own software but my programming and coding knowledge doesn't stretch that far, I think I'll just stick with what im good at CSS, XHTML & Graphic Design
visual studio is easy, VS8 is free but it doesn't do much, if i'm not mistaken and i believe it was mentioned above that visual studio works in .NET but first you should try a couple easy things, try writing a small game like idk SKI FREE!!!! i haven't gotten around to it, but writing a game or other such is one of my projects for the summer while school is out. but that feul idea is fantastic, but windows live already tried it and it is extremely out of date. start small and work into the bigger stuff.
p.s. if you write ski free and get it to work on the phone let me know
Visual Studio Express doesn't allow you to develop mobile applications. Students from selected countries can grab a free copy of VS2008 Professional from here. Otherwise, the next best free solution would be the outdated eVC++ or eMbedded Visual Tools, which only support up to Pocket PC 2003 SDK. However, those apps will still work on WM5/WM6, etc. The main limitation is that the you don't have access to the APIs in the newer OS.
Humz said:
(a quick search of fuel prices on the xda-dev of fuel prices shows nothing)
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There are some programs that retrieve current and local gas prices. Windows Live Search is one.
I don't want to discourage you from writing your own, sounds like it would be good practice to start with. I wish I had the time to learn how to do it.
GWelker62 said:
There are some programs that retrieve current and local gas prices. Windows Live Search is one.
I don't want to discourage you from writing your own, sounds like it would be good practice to start with. I wish I had the time to learn how to do it.
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I was gonna mention that.
This is a wery good book to start whit. Introduction to Programming Using Visual Basic 2008.
I wrote my first Android app and it's on the market now: Gas Mixer http://code.google.com/p/gasmixer/
It costs $3 but that's just a way to recoup my time and expenses. The source is available on my project site.
I intend to write more diving apps, and I'm also a student pilot so I'm starting to think about making some aviation apps too.
Just wondering if anyone on here is one.
Im really interested in become one but idk if I should go to a 4yr college
or a tech school (itt,devry etc..)
any advice?
university
A good well rounded university education is best if possible. Some start out and get a junior 2 year degree but make certain it's a match with the 4 year school you plan to get your BS degree. often it can take 5, 6 and even more years to finish. They give you projects with deadlines in a week. Computer Science requires much self-education so prepare to learn most things on your own. Programmers from Bill Gates and so on have made fortunes with their own initiative and creative spirit which one develops through intensive study and a drive to be creative much as an artist has. Programming is both a science and an art form.
Tone-E said:
Just wondering if anyone on here is one.
Im really interested in become one but idk if I should go to a 4yr college
or a tech school (itt,devry etc..)
any advice?
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Click to collapse
Just don't buy a learn to program in 24hrs book
If you are to take that path, start programming before you enter college. I already programmed in a VB-like IDE for mobile devices a few years before I entered college and it saved my life. Since I already knew the basic concepts, I made it with nice grades while everyone struggled to understand our teacher.
Visual Basic might not be the best way to start, so I recommend a simple curly brace language like PHP (web-based, very permissive). If you already know HTML, you will love it.
Oh, and NEVER, EVER copy and paste code you don't understand. Take the time to grasp every function you use in your program/website. If possible, start from scratch and use 100% original code. It's the right way to innovate and make mistakes to learn from.
All the best!
-Another programming n00b
anarchyuk said:
Just don't buy a learn to program in 24hrs book
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I've found "For Dummies" books to be a great place to start and would have loved to know about it a few years ago. Heck I might have been a senior C++ or assembly programmer by now (jk)!
Hi,
I have to admit that I would start with VB.NET and then learn C/C++ eventually. Should have you covered for most platforms.
**** college. You can only learn to code by coding and reading - better prepare to spend a nice bit of hay at Amazon's.
I have a few recommended books here:
http://tamspalm.tamoggemon.com/category/hardware-reviews/book-reviews/
http://tamsppc.tamoggemon.com/category/reviews/hardware-reviews/books/
and also on the other sites.
Hows the salary?
To learn "Computer Science" you need to study at a college.
To "Program" all you need is interest and a logical mind.
I recommend Starting with C or Java, and then specializing in a niche area where you can get a lot of jobs. (For Ex: Android)
The salary is quite good when it comes to programming jobs if you can get hired at a place where your competences are valued.
how long did it take you to become a programmer and how is the work experience.
I'm not. I'm studying and slowly start to get web dev jobs. Work happens all at once and it's thrilling!
o thats cool did u go to a 4yr college or tech school?
As a computer science student, I know how much help free resources for making programs can be. If you look at the price tag for a normal person to buy a Microsoft product such as Visual Studio, you will see that you are paying >=$100 for it. However, if you're a student, Microsoft knows that money is tough for college students, so it is giving many of its products, such as visual studio or the latest version of Windows, away free to students. Microsoft is doing this through 2 main programs: Dreamspark and MSDNAA. If you can dream it, Microsoft has the tools to do it with its Dreamspark site. Want to get developing for the latest version of Windows or Windows Mobile? Dreamspark has fully-featured versions of Visual Studio available for download. Gaming on systems like the Xbox or Windows Mobile 7 more of your fancy? Well, Microsoft has XNA Gaming Studio available, along with a waiver for the $99 fee you normally have to pay to develop games for the Xbox 360. Do the tools you want to run recommend you run Windows 7 but you only have Windows XP and don't have the money to upgrade? Well, Microsoft will give you a free license key via MSDNAA as well as an iso file of the install cd. MSDNAA is the academic wing of MSDN giving you access to most (if not all) of its MSDN resources for free. I would like to mention that both Dreamspark and MSDNAA require you to have a valid university e-mail address before you can complete the signup process, so check with the computer science department (or whoever manages Microsoft relations) at your college or university. If you want a place to get help or just chill out on the net, the Microsoft Student Lounge has forums, fun stuff, reviews, and the latest specials on Microsoft products.
If you've ever used Dreamspark or MSDNAA (or even been to the Microsoft Student Lounge), sound off and leave a thought or 2 about it below.
Here are some links to help you get started:
Imagine Cup: http://bit.ly/fcPDqa
DreamSpark: http://bit.ly/ekmqiA
--bump for viewing--
Yea, computer science major here too. I need VS
I was called to Dreamspark event in our college (I am mechanical engineer). For a seminar on windows 7. It was a waste of time because these microsoft guys where busy promoting windows 7 rather than explain its features
waste of time and waste of money
I'm a sophomore in high school taking computer science. (please don't judge me because of my age) Our school is making some major budget cuts, so sadly our video game programming and design class (the only other higher level programming class offered) got cut and this will be my last and only programming class at my school (well there's a possibility that it will be brought back in my senior year, but I'd at least like to stay fresh over the summer and next year). I don't know much about java to tell you the truth. I know how to use loops, conditionals, arrays (1 and 2 dimensional) and arraylists and most of the basic variable types (off of the top of my head, integers, doubles, booleans, longs, and strings). I've made some very very simple apps such as whack a mole and craps, but the gui class was provided by my teacher.
My question is this: is there a good, preferably free online program that teaches you the basics of java (especially related to the gui) and possibly some more complex programming?
I appreciate any help. thanks.
P.S. Please forgive me if this is too off-topic, but I really couldn't think of a better place to post this. Hope you guys will be able to help.
gonintendo said:
I'm a sophomore in high school taking computer science. (please don't judge me because of my age) Our school is making some major budget cuts, so sadly our video game programming and design class (the only other higher level programming class offered) got cut and this will be my last and only programming class at my school (well there's a possibility that it will be brought back in my senior year, but I'd at least like to stay fresh over the summer and next year). I don't know much about java to tell you the truth. I know how to use loops, conditionals, arrays (1 and 2 dimensional) and arraylists and most of the basic variable types (off of the top of my head, integers, doubles, booleans, longs, and strings). I've made some very very simple apps such as whack a mole and craps, but the gui class was provided by my teacher.
My question is this: is there a good, preferably free online program that teaches you the basics of java (especially related to the gui) and possibly some more complex programming?
I appreciate any help. thanks.
P.S. Please forgive me if this is too off-topic, but I really couldn't think of a better place to post this. Hope you guys will be able to help.
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Go to Youtube.....search for a guy named "thenewboston"
He has a whole series of java programming lectures that saved me in my Advanced Java course in college....
Mr. Apocalypse said:
Go to Youtube.....search for a guy named "thenewboston"
He has a whole series of java programming lectures that saved me in my Advanced Java course in college....
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Thanks! I'll make sure to check him out!
I was in the same place as you a while back. The best way to learn is by trying to make something you want.
Before jumping into any serious programming you need to learn a few more important concepts. Methods, classes, objects, and more on those. You need to understand how it all works before going further.
If you have any questions feel free to message me or hit me up on gtalk. I'll give you some tips, ideas, and some source code of apps to dig into, if you like.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
the basics:
http://download.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/
now go to some university's entry level cs website and do some of the programming assignments.
but if you know control flow, some data structures, types, etc. just program. there are a ton of simple things to write. for example, write a calculator that has an add method that just adds the two arguments, then write recursive multiplication, factorial, and exponential methods that only use add (or other methods you wrote). it's simple, but decent recursion practice. i could give you a ton of simple programs to write.
oh and pay attention to what everything actually is. read and understand what static, private, public, classes, objects, etc. actually are and their purpose.
birgertime said:
I was in the same place as you a while back. The best way to learn is by trying to make something you want.
Before jumping into any serious programming you need to learn a few more important concepts. Methods, classes, objects, and more on those. You need to understand how it all works before going further.
If you have any questions feel free to message me or hit me up on gtalk. I'll give you some tips, ideas, and some source code of apps to dig into, if you like.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I should have added, I have a basic understanding of methods and classes, and we are just getting into objects now.
Thanks for all the responses guys! really appreciate the help.
also, if you guys have any suggestions for simple apps that a beginner like my self could make, fire away.
I applaud you for beginning a hobby/interest in programming early. Currently I'm a 2nd year student at a university for Computer Science so I have a very direct understanding of Java. You should know that structure of Java (for every day use) is different than that of the Java on Android.
Download the Android SDK: developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Follow all the steps of installation and DO the Hello, Android (World) app that it gives you. Make sure you UNDERSTAND everything on the screen and in your main class.
Continue reading all the Developer documents for the SDK here:
developer.android.com/guide/index.html
Joy2DaWurld said:
I applaud you for beginning a hobby/interest in programming early. Currently I'm a 2nd year student at a university for Computer Science so I have a very direct understanding of Java. You should know that structure of Java (for every day use) is different than that of the Java on Android.
Download the Android SDK: developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Follow all the steps of installation and DO the Hello, Android (World) app that it gives you. Make sure you UNDERSTAND everything on the screen and in your main class.
Continue reading all the Developer documents for the SDK here:
developer.android.com/guide/index.html
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Thanks! I had kind of figured that android developement would be a whole different beast.
Who is this "java" girl and why would you like to go in and out and in and out of her?
What can I say? Different strokes.
gonintendo said:
What can I say? Different strokes.
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Perhaps you would like to have a go at Missionary Java or K9 Java.
I can sell you my 'Programming with Alice and Java' textbook...if I find it. It has all the intro stuff. First it uses a program called Alice to teach you how it works, and then it teaches you to do actual code. When I find it I can tell you where it leaves off.