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.

So You Need a Tech Stack: Which One Would Be Best for You?

Posted on

December 22, 2021

When it comes to hackathons, there is as much collaboration as there is competition. Whichever stage you're at, you will definitely need the best tools at hand. In order to create an app, developers need to have a solid set. Collectively, they are referred to as a Tech Stack.
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The Tech Stack

It should be noted that the tech stack used for a mobile application will be different from what's used for a web application. They're fundamentally the same: there's a client-side element ("front end") and a server-side one ("back end"). It's key to consider technology on both the front and back end when a web product is being built.

Stack: Front End Tools (Client-Side)

As the name suggests, this stack's technology is what website visitors or app users see. UX (user experience) is the bottom line for this half of a tech stack. Additionally, clear internal structures and a user interface that is acceptable are necessary elements.

This stack cannot be complete without CSS, HTML, and Javascript. CSS helps data to be represented well, including fonts, background items, and the like. HTML, on the other hand, is responsible for where data goes and how it's structured in the first place. JavaScript is ideal for interactive needs, controlled through libraries like React.js or jQuery as they fit into Angular, Ember, and similar frameworks.

Stack: Back End Tools (Server-Side)

This stack makes sure that the website and application are working well internally. This is particularly crucial for websites that have static pages which go beyond being HTML-coded. Tools that are important for the back end:

Databases (MySQL, MongoDB)
Frameworks (Django, Flask, Objective-C, Ruby on Rails, Swift)
Programming Languages (JavaScript, PHP, Python)
Server Providers (Nginx, Apache, and more)

Mobile applications generally differ from web applications in that the latter doesn't have to be downloaded to a device. When apps are being made, the platform has to be taken into consideration. Is it going to be for Android? Is it meant for iOS? Will there be cross-platform software involved?

For iOS applications

Apple devices run on iOS software, which is why integrated development environments like Apple's Xcode and JetBrains AppCode are great. The programming languages that iOS rely on the most are Swift and Objective C.

For Android applications

The core of Android applications is Java, which is a programming language that Yahoo and Google use too. It's object-oriented, open-source, and easily the most popular one out there. Android SDK is widely popular; it can help with building an app since it has many libraries for maths, graphics, data structure, and networking. The programming language Kotlin is also preferred by many since it makes less code needed.

Choose What's Best for Your Project

When you join hackathons, you're going to want to be prepared in the best possible way. A key part of this includes the tools and whatnot you bring to the table, especially the tech stack. The tech stack is a solid set of tools developers can use for the mobile and/or website application that's being made.

Need guidance when it comes to hackathon projects for beginners? You’re in the right place! Hackathon.com connects over 2,000 hackathon organizers to our over 10 million innovator members worldwide, since we’re the largest online hackathon community there is!

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