What coding projects did you work on this summer? I spent mine on personal projects that might give you some ideas for your own.
Summer Coding Projects
“If any part of my post is unclear or if you want to discuss something further, feel free to leave a comment. I’ll do my best to explain anything that’s confusing.”
I started my personal projects with little direction, just a desire to create something in the world of app and web development.
My goal for the summer was to build a to-do list app using Flutter and to create a personal website. The idea for the app came from my frustration with existing ones, so I set out to build something better.
Along the way, a friend suggested turning an old PC into a server, saving me the cost of web hosting. I bought a domain from Cloudflare, set up Ubuntu and Docker on the old PC, and then built my website. Now, I’m ready to get back to finishing my app.
1. Ubuntu Server Coding Project
First, I downloaded a bootable Ubuntu server installer. Then, I upgraded my old PC by replacing the hard drive with a new SSD and connected it to the Ethernet.
After setting up the server with Docker, Set up Cloudflare to host my website on its port 8080 and my blog on port 8081.
If you’re interested in learning more about setting up an Ubuntu server or using Docker, feel free to ask!
Links: If you want to learn more about the Bootable Ubuntu Server Download
2. Web Coding Project
2.1 Personal Website
I created my website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Since it was my first project, I wasn’t sure what to include beyond the placeholder content.
I still need to update and modify some images, but the blog is nearly complete. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials available to help others build their own websites. My site is hosted through my server.
2.2 Personal Coding Blog
Setting up my WordPress server was easy with Docker and a Docker Compose file. I spent time adjusting the theme and plugins and watched YouTube videos on blogging.
Along the way, I learned about search engine optimization, designing websites without coding, and how to change CSS and PHP files for Google Search Console. Now, this is the WordPress site where I’m writing my posts.
3. App Project
For my app project, I created a to-do list mockup in Flutter and learned the basics of Firebase. However, I still need to keep working on it to understand how social networking algorithms and search features work.
I plan to upload the project to GitHub, but I’m not yet sure how it will be hosted. I chose Flutter because it supports both iOS and Android.
When my app is ready, I hope you’ll try it out and give me your feedback!
Conclusion
This summer has been a big learning experience for me. I turned an old PC into a server, built my website, and set up a blog using WordPress with Docker. Each project taught me new skills, from web hosting to design and optimization.
My app project in Flutter is still in progress, but I’m excited to keep learning. I’ve shared my journey in the hope that it inspires others to start their own projects. There’s always more to explore, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
What projects are you working on, and what’s been your biggest win so far? Share in the comments!