What is the purpose of a hackathon?

Hackathons are not single-purpose events, but rather multifaceted opportunities for both the host organization(s) and participants to achieve a diverse set of objectives. Some of the most common applications for the host(s) include; discovering business solutions, accelerated product/service launch, staff training and engagement, canvassing for new talent, and improved developer relations.

What happens during a hackathon?

A hackathon is a versatile competition that brings together creative thinkers to solve various problems in a predetermined (typically short) amount of time. There is a wide variety of hackathon event structures but the typical framework is as follows; 1. The event challenges, objectives, rules, parameters and timelines are clearly defined by the host organization(s), 2. Members from ideal/target demographics are invited and encouraged to participate, 3. Participants form teams of 4-6 people, 4. Teams work to find creative solutions to the challenge and build a prototype of their concept, 5. Once complete teams demonstrate their product to a panel of expert judges, 6. Winners are announced and prizes awarded, the organizer announces the winning team

Why is it called a hackathon?

The term “hackathon” is an amalgamation (more formally known as a portmanteau) of the words “hacker” and “marathon”. A “hacker” generally refers to computer programmers, designers, innovators, and other domain experts. The marathon component is derived from the short time frame in which most hackathons are structured. Challenges typically push participants to work for extended hours without sleep in order to complete their prototype. The term hackathon was first coined in Calgary, Canada, on June 4, 1999 for the OpenBSD Hackathon. Check out our article What is a Hackathon?

How long is a hackathon?

Typically hackathons run for 24-48 hours depending on the expected outcome, however some extend beyond this typical frame if more extensive prototyping is needed.

How do I prepare for my first hackathon?

1. Study and explore previous hackathons by the host organization and winning solutions. These insights will help you to anticipate the types of challenges you’ll face, 2. Determine where to find the resources you will need during the hackathon, 3. Learn how to effectively work in teams, by attributing the right task to the individual with the correct skillset, 4. Explore and research the host organization’s industry

Are hackathons worth it?

Hackathons offer added value to both organizers and attendees. They are a great option when looking to find and assess business solutions, work with startups, train your staff, build a talent pool or launch a new product/service. As an attendee it’s a chance to network with others in similar fields, bring your ideas to life, learn new skills, or push outside your comfort zone and improve your skills.

Who can take part in Hackathon?

Each hackathon is unique and may or may not have specific prerequisites. Some events are open to anyone interested, while others may be specific to students, those with particular certifications or credentials, for example. It’s best to explore the guidelines before registering.

21 Websites You Can Use To Learn To Code For Free - Part 3

Posted on

December 22, 2021

Learning to code is a fascinating process, especially when you don’t need to pay for it. Part 1 and Part 2 discussed eleven trusted websites you can use to start developing your programming skills, but those are only the tip of the iceberg. Part 3 will cover several more websites you can explore to start becoming fluent in various programming languages, opening up even more exciting opportunities for you.

Here are more websites you can use to learn to code for free:

12. Bento

One of the many excellent resources providing free coding classes and tutorials, Bento transforms these courses into simple curriculums. That means you can easily pick up the nuances of coding and programming through their structure, regardless of your background.

You can select a learning track for mastering a particular topic or programming language, with each track featuring beginner, intermediate, and advanced tutorials. You can start learning to code as someone who knows nothing about it and finish the track like someone ready to become a professional developer.

13. Code Avengers

Unlike the many resources listed here, Code Avengers is a mostly paid platform, although it still features free courses you can use to learn to code. These classes feature quick and interactive tutorials to help you practice your knowledge of programming concepts and languages.

When you sign up, you have the option to choose between the Junior and Create programs. The Junior program is geared towards children from five to 14, with classes focused on the basics of programming, data representation, and computational thinking. The Create program is meant for beginners 15 years or older, including free demonstrative lessons for using languages like CSS, Python, and more.

14. Hackr.io

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the many programming courses and tutorials available online. You may be worried about choosing the wrong ones, effectively wasting your valuable time. The good news is that Hackr.io solves this problem by presenting only the very best resources backed by the developer community, so you know these courses are the ones to take.

Each course the site recommends has testimonials from fellow members, helping you decide on where to start. You may also want to consult Hackr.io Roadmaps, consisting of community-recommended learning pathways to help you become a developer or designer.

15. Google Developers Codelabs

Google developed this platform to cater to intermediate and advanced developers who want to expand their coding knowledge and skills. It can also assist students in building applications or enhancing their web projects with Google’s technology.

Google Developers Codelabs provide a guided, tutorial, hands-on coding experience. Most codelabs will step you through the process of building a small application, or adding a new feature to an existing application. They cover a wide range of topics such as Android Wear, Google Compute Engine, Project Tango, and Google APIs on iOS.

16. Sololearn

If you want to learn at your own pace, Sololearn is one of the best portals for you. It has helped more than 44 million users launch a career in web development, machine learning, and data science. It relies on bite-sized learning, with each section focusing on one topic instead of several. This particular format makes it easier to study coding, particularly for beginners. The website is also available as a mobile app, which means you can continue your lessons no matter where you are.

Unlock More Opportunities With Coding

We’ve tackled many websites, but there are still plenty more resources you can take advantage of to develop your programming and coding skills. Stay tuned for part 4 to know them all!

If you want to participate in a hackathon, check us out at Hackathon.com! We are the largest online hackathon community worldwide, connecting over 2000 hackathon organizers with more than 10 million-member innovators worldwide. Learn more by browsing our events today!

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