Demo My CS50 Final Project

Updated date: 11/15/2024

Taking Harvard’s CS50 course was one of the most rewarding challenges of my life. As part of the course, I had to complete a final coding project, and I decided to create a website—a blog where I could document my learning journey and showcase my work.

I Rebuilt My Website Using the Django Framework 

Initially, before learning code on CS50, I built the first version of my website using WordPress CMS. While functional, it didn’t feel like an actual coding project since WordPress relies heavily on prebuilt tools. If you are WordPress user, you know what I mean. And then after taking the CS50 course, I learned much about a real programmer — how to solve problems with algorithms and creative design. 

This final project was intended to build something using the programming skills learned throughout the course. So, I took it as an excellent opportunity to rebuild my website using code without any non-code framework. So I did it. 

I liked coding in Python, which is like plain English. The Django framework is well-designed for making websites using Python, HTML, and CSS. So, I eventually rebuilt my website using Django in a week or so. After this project, I felt close to being a professional web developer, although I have yet to receive a job offer. 

Curious About My Website Structure

The website I built served as a personal hub, with a clear and purposeful menu structure:

– Blog: A space to record my learning journey, including my experience with CS50 and other online courses.  

– Ph.D. Thesis: A section where visitors could download my thesis—a nod to my academic background.  

– Projects: A portfolio showcasing all the projects I’ve worked on.  

– Certificates: A place to display the certifications I’ve earned over the years.  

– Resume: A dedicated page for job-seeking purposes.  

This structure was designed to reflect my journey, from my academic roots to my transition into tech.

Capturing the Demo – My First Time Ever Making a YouTube Video

CS50 course requires every student to finish a final project and make a demo video on YouTube. 

Creating the website was one thing, but presenting it in a video was a new challenge. I needed to gain experience making videos. 

As I had been in the academic world for over a decade, I made slide presentations well. So, I went for a simple approach: I started with a slide introducing the video’s title and then screen-recorded my website. The result was a straightforward walkthrough of my project, showing each part of the site. There was no audio, no animations—just a clean and honest look at what I’d built.

ps After completing all the projects and tests on CS50, I earned a certificate:

Reflecting on the Journey

Looking back, this project and video represent much more than just a class assignment. They were milestones in my journey to becoming a developer, a leap from theoretical learning to practical creation. The video may not have bells and whistles, but it is the starting point of my journey as a developer and a YouTuber. I sincerely appreciate my experience with CS50.

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Thanks for reading, and I look forward to sharing more stories and insights from my journey!

Happy coding!