Possible Java Applications

[colin shuker]

Hi, I'm trying to produce some Java applications so I can get more
experience with Java.
So far, I've made lots of little programs, as well as a fractal program,
which lets you explore the mandelbrot set, a chess program with working GUI. Also a Pacman game and a snake game, and a graph theory application
based on Dijstrka's algorithm.

I'm struggling to think of any fairly large applications I can start working on. I've thought about some sort of maths program that solves equations and does calculus and graphs, but this would clearly take a
lot of thought before I begin. I've also thought of drawing program,
such as Paint like in Windows.

If any one has any good ideas, please let me know. Thanks very much

[Mark Van Tuyl]

What are your interests? If you have a hobby, how about a program that goes along with it? A couple of examples would be databases for stamp/coin collections, a layout designer for model railroading or a recipe manager if you enjoy cooking.

In any event, working on a program that interests you will probably keep you going when you run into difficulties.

[colin shuker]

Yep, your right, thats why I've made the chess, fractal and pacman applications.
I would like to make a pool game, similar to yahoo pool. It's just the
physics part is going to be the main difficulty.
There are countless things I can do, but I can't think of any.

[Mark Van Tuyl]

How about a simpler game like Pong or Breakout? They involve some simple physics and you could use them as a basis for your pool game.

[Gregg Bolinger]

If you are interested in 3D games, there are some excellent 3D API's for Java. Some of them include LWJGL and JOGL and then there are some engines which utalize these API's like JMonkeyEngine and Xith3D.

[colin shuker]

I'm thinking about do a breakout game or pool game.
I can see how there would be similarities.
I'm trying to think ahead so I don't code the program
in a way that makes future difficulties impossible to overcome.
For the pool game, the main problem would be getting the cue ball to
move in accordance with its spin, this would mean it would be
moving on certain curves. Also there is the problem of multiple collisions of balls.
I think I could assume that only the cue ball has spin, and the other
balls just move in a straight line under a constant deceleration.
Other problems would be balls on the cushion and what happens when
they get hit.
I think I would need to make some kind of system where a ball
has a number of forces on it, and each certain time interval, these forces
would determine its next position.

Hmmm, maybe I should just do breakout, I'll think about it.
Thanks