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.

Best Tools Right Now for Low Code / No Code Development

Posted on

September 1, 2022

Whereas intensive code may have been a necessity for complex applications in the past, we've finally hit an age where you can create something pretty spectacular with little to no code. You can even feasibly join a hackathon without coding at all.

Whether it's for business endeavors or just for fun, there are a number of tools at one's disposal to get projects up and running without all those lines of code.
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Mendix

Mendix is an exciting tool for those interested in creating enterprise-grade applications. This one isn't completely devoid of the need for coding, but it is a low-code platform that isn't too complex. It’s a user-friendly platform even for less experienced users.

This platform enables the user to develop full apps using simple tools that cater to various industry needs. It's a collaborative platform, too, so you can work on a project quickly whether each contributor is developing for mobile, tablet, or desktop.

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Knack

This option is completely no-code. You will likely see this platform being used to create online databases. Considering that it has no code, its toolset still provides a competitive end product.

Knack lets users even with no familiarity with any programming languages still produce customizable apps using an easy drag-and-drop editor. This makes its process much more visual and bodes well for developers that want to create a custom interface without having to code.

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Zoho Creator

This online platform is great for users that want to create mobile applications. It is a low-code tool that is pretty accessible for both the green and more well-brushed.

Although it does have the capacity to create multi-platform apps, it shines for mobile. That said, its visual builders and code editors are intuitive enough that you can enjoy customizing using this tool. It's especially helpful if you are trying to automate workflows in a simple way.

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Quickbase

The ease with projects in this platform comes from their real-time visibility and workflow construction. Once again, this is one of the unified no-code platforms you can find.

The interesting part about Quickbase is that you have the option to fully no-code or go for low coding. From here, you have the freedom to create applications and databases depending on your needs. You have a common data repository, so it's a more unified approach when working with others on a project.

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The Future of No-Code Development

If you look at the history of programming, you'll see that it took quite a bit of time to get to where we are today. Things began with punch cards and then eventually found their way to digital languages. It is interesting to see, then, that we have reached a point where we can forgo much of the complex lines of code that took decades to become what they are.

There are many platforms that enable various processes now, and it looks like the trend will only continue to permeate various industries. Right now, we are already seeing this in employee management solutions, data analytics apps, and hackathon projects.

From here, it's exciting to think of where the technology will go just a few years down the line.

If you’re looking for the largest resource for hackathon events and a community of millions of innovators across the globe, Hackathon.com is the right place. Check out our site to find an event near you or learn more about hosting your own hackathon event.

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