Top Coding Projects to Sharpen Your Skills and Build Your Coding Portfolio

It can be a challenge when you’re starting as a coder to gain the skills you need. To become a successful professional, you should learn to write code in different programming languages like Java, C#, and Python. When you have the right foundations, you’ll also be able to create coding projects that directly reflect your skills and strengths. 

5 Skills That Coding Projects Can Help You Practice

Coding involves code translation from human language to machine-based language. It is used for creating software, applications, websites, and games. Below are the skills that coding projects can help you practice to impress potential clients and employers. 

• Algorithm coding. Algorithms are the building blocks of computer science. They allow programmers to provide step-by-step instructions while running and executing technical solutions. Through algorithm coding, you can quickly organize and structure data. This skill is necessary, especially for data scientists handling and analyzing massive amounts of information daily. 
• Data structures. This skill allows you to understand how the data is grouped. While the algorithm is about ordering data when administered, data structures focus on storing data in particular frameworks. There are various data structures, such as an array that indicates and holds similar data types like integers. The straightforward structure makes arrays ideal for classifying algorithms.
• HTML & CSS. You should also be proficient with HTML and CSS which are basic coding languages. CSS is a popular programming language used for determining the presentation and style of a web page and HTML is used for organizing the content and structure of a web page. Both are vital in front end development. 
• JavaScript. One of the vital skills in coding is using JavaScript. It is also usually used in front end and backend development to help programmers create timely content updates, interactive maps, graphics, scrolling videos, and more. Employers also require JavaScript to be included in your professional experience.  
• SQL & NoSQL. These two are the most common programming languages for beginner developers. SQL is the standard language used to communicate with relational databases. NoSQL, on the other hand, is used for any non-relational databases. SQL and NoSQL are used for communicating with databases on the backend of a web page. 

Best Coding Project Ideas for Beginners 

Programming project ideas for beginners are the perfect introduction to programming as they generally have simple steps to get you started. You can try them out to see which technical skills you need to practice with more hands-on experience. 

Multi-Page Responsive Website

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

This beginner project involves building a multi-page responsive website that works on several devices and can be used in different screen sizes. The website is responsive even in mobile and desktop browsers. Doing this gives you an edge because it shows your coding and design skills and is versatile because of the continuous changes and upgrades in the web. 

Small JavaScript Game

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

Small fun games can be one of the more exciting projects for beginners. There is no framework to use while creating it, but it will make you a better coder as you deal with some bumps along the way. Making a small JavaScript game, such as a chess game or tic-tac-toe game, also helps your portfolio stand out with your potential clients. 

Simple Application

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

A simple application could be a calculator, a to-do list, or a reminder app which can also be one of the best beginner coding projects that involves user input. It doesn’t need to be complex and you can try and test it out so you can experiment with the latest advancements. 

Random Number Generator

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

This is also one of the best projects for beginners and involves creating an application that will randomly generate a number at the user’s request. This will test your knowledge in using integers, random functions, inputs and outputs, variants, and other essential coding basics.

Countdown Timer

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

This is a good project for beginners because it tests your ability to create a date field, start button, and even optional time. A timer is used to track the years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds until a scheduled event occurs. You will build your programming skills as you complete projects that follow logical steps. 

Best Intermediate Coding Project Ideas 

Once you have moved beyond basic coding projects for complete beginners, these intermediate coding projects will test your skills and your strategy if a sudden problem arises. Check out some of the ideas here and enhance your skills. 

Drawing Application

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

A drawing application allows a user to create digital artwork on a blank canvas. You can share it online and it can also be used to export images. The product will enable the user to draw with their mouse, or create fun Pixel art, and change colors and tool size if needed. A bonus feature of this project is its ability to be saved as an image like PNG and JPG. 

Emoji Translator

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

This app concept aims to translate text entered by a person into a series of emojis representing that text. The user can enter words, numbers, and even punctuation marks into the text box. When the user clicks translate, the input text is translated into the corresponding emojis. 

The coder should be able to implement an emoji synonym for the application to translate words to emojis. You can also put a bonus feature where users can select the language of the input text if you are ready to take on more difficult coding concepts. 

Meme Generator

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

This meme generator allows users to create memes by adding an image or text. In the application, the user can add text to fun graphics. Users can also select the color and size and save the meme they’ve created. You can add bonus features like the ability to select a font family and share it on social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter. 

Typing Practice App

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

This typing app would help the user evaluate their typing skills and keep track of their progress. The app would display a list of words, and then the user must type them as fast as they can within a specific time frame. When the word is mistyped, it becomes red or it stays on the screen. 

This practice will naturally help someone improve their typing skills. As a bonus feature, users can see how many successful attempts they’ve had. A button that says “start” should also appear on the screen, and the texts will be shown in a text box. Application ideas like this are a good way to master the basics in game development. 

Recipe App

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

This application would help people who love to cook but have difficulty organizing their recipes. In the application, you would want to see a list of recipes arranged alphabetically and include a picture of the dish. In addition, you can add other information like preparation, ingredients, serving sizes, and difficulty level to elevate your skills beyond beginner concepts. 

Advanced Coding Project Ideas

Advanced coding projects are usually for developers who have a lot of experience. So you don’t have to worry if you can’t do them yet. You can always try them out and learn how to improve your code quality along the way. Take a step-by-step approach to harder projects to make them more manageable. 

Elevator App

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

This app will test your coding skills. The goal here is to simulate the operation of an elevator, especially during events generated by the building’s occupants. The application would let the occupants call out for an elevator from any floor and press the floor button they wish to go to. 

You’ll see a warning notification if the number of elevator requests exceeds the maximum number allowed. The developer can decide on the limitations. The users can hear a sound if the elevator arrives on their floor and you can also set a specific time for the intervals of when the elevator receives a notification, especially when many occupants are calling out for an elevator. 

Fast Food Simulator App

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

This application could be overwhelming at first because of the four distinct roles the coder has to make, such as for users, customers, order takers, cooks, and servers. This app could look like a takeaway restaurant, but the difference is that the customer is dining in, and they’ll use an app for their order.

The customers will place an order, wait for it to be prepared, and be delivered to a pickup counter. After the order is placed, the customer will wait for a notification before receiving it and then proceed to the dining area. 

Shell Game

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

A shell game is a classic matching game that requires a pea, three shells, hand dexterity by the operator, and observation skills. The app will provide a graphical interface to the classic game. The player will draw three shells on the canvas along with the pea. The pea will move and shuffle under the shells, and then the player should guess and click which shell covers the pea. 

Time Series Database

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

This software stores and processes time series in a more productive way than a normal database management system. Your skills will be tested, and your knowledge about time series will be challenged. This is one of the programming projects that will push you to your limits. 

Traffic Notifier

• Coding Skills Practiced: Algorithm coding, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, SQL and NoSQL, data structures.

In this project idea, the user will receive a notification about any traffic jam ahead, and then the app will suggest a better route. This is a useful project and would help lots of motorists, especially during rush hour. 

Coding Starter Project Templates

Coding templates are beneficial especially for beginners who encounter coding or programming problems. The primary key in coding is to become aware of valuable patterns and apply them to unique situations.

• HTML Starter Template. This HTML starter template is a visual guide designed for beginners to programming. It will help you get started with basic HTML syntax. 
• Hello, CSS!. This CSS starter template will provide step-by-step guidance to help you style elements in an aesthetically pleasing way. It was designed to be simple to follow and emphasizes good typography. 
• JavaScript Templates. JavaScript is one of the most common programming languages, and this template can help you familiarize yourself with it. It is compatible with all web browsers and module loaders like webpack, server-side environments like Node.js. 
• HTML5 Boilerplate. This template is the result of a decade of community innovation. It provides easy-to-follow instructions to help you get started on front end development projects that are fast and robust. 
• Side Scroller Template Game. This template is intended for beginners or people with a small amount of experience with coding. It will help you develop a side scroller game with Storyboard, physics, and parallax scrolling. It also includes an instructional video.

Next Steps: Start Organizing Your Coding Portfolio

Organizing a portfolio could be daunting, especially if you don’t know what to include in it. In this section, you’ll see which areas you can focus on so that your coding portfolio will showcase your skills as a professional coder. 

Think of a Strong Domain Name

When you create your portfolio, be intentional with your domain name. A good domain name can stand out to your potential employers and could reflect your professional brand. Select a name that relates to your work and is professional-sounding. You can also create a backup domain just in case a possible problem occurs. 

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Make a Unique Layout and Design

Every part of your portfolio should reflect your brand and creativity. That’s why as a coder, every detail must show your skill as a developer. The layout and design can showcase your creativity and attentiveness, even up to minor details. Look at your portfolio the way clients would see it and make it unique but still professional. 

Include an “About Me” Section

An “About me” section makes your portfolio more personal. Instead of only focusing on professional experiences, use this section for your clients and employers to get to know you outside work. Let them see a bit of yourself. You can include here a short bio, your values, your professional strengths, email address, and other interests. You can also include a headshot. 

Coding Projects FAQ