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CatWorx BadgeMaker App

I used C# to build a console app that creates employee security badges for a rapidly expanding startup, CatWorx. I used the .NET framework to import libraries that let me read and write to the file system, query APIs, and generate images.

The Fundementals

Before starting on the CatWorx BadgeMaker App I started with the fundementals:

  • Created a "Hello, World" App
  • Explored the Program.cs File
    • Learned about Namespaces and the System namespace
  • The Main() method being the entry point fo the application and is invoked when the program runs.

C# Data Types

  • Strings
  • String Interpolations
  • Numbers
  • Math Operations
  • Math Operators
  • Booleans
  • Data Type Conversions

Data Structures

  • Dictionaries
    • Populate a Dictionary
  • Arrays
    • Declare an Array
  • Lists
  • Loops
    • For Loop

CatWorx BadgeMaker Steps

                                   

Storing Employee Data

Learned how to:

  • Interact with users via the command-line interface (CLI).
  • Declare and call class methods.
  • Create and instantiate a new class.
  • Refactor the code along the way to keep the project organized, maintainable, and extensible.

Approach:

  1. Prompted the user and store their employee data.
  2. Organized the code using methods with single responsibility.
  3. Created a class to hold the employee objects.
  4. Printed the employee information.

Statically Write Data

Learned how to:

  • Use static to keep code neatly organized.
  • Populate a CSV file with Util.
  • Manage memory with the using keyword.

Approach:

  1. Created a Util class, which is used to populate the CSV file.
  2. Created the data folder to house the CSV file.
  3. Imported the System.IO namespace in order to enable writing to a CSV file.

Create the Badges

Learned how to:

  • Use pseudocode to break down each step ahead of time and outline your workflow.
  • Research and use classes and methods to manipulate images and text.
  • Convert objects into more usable data types.
  • Designate placement and size of text or images using Rectangle.
  • Create a new file with Save() method.

Approach:

  1. Imported the badge template image file that worked as the background image.
  2. Customized each employee's badge by adding information specific to each employee-namely, the employee's name, picture, and id number.
  3. Added this new image file to the data folder.

Download the Data

Learned how to:

  • Request data from an API (Random User Generator API).
  • Convert JSON to C# data types.
  • Create a new employee for each person that I fetch from the API.

Approach:

  1. Generated employee data by using the Random User Generator API.
  2. Pseudocoded the steps.
  3. Prepared the PeopleFetcher class.
  4. Called the API.
  5. Converted the JSON.
  6. Created the employees.
  7. Added the finishing touches.

Reflection

I feel I did a great job implementing and working through dense concepts, syntax, and package installs. The application is now properly situated to receive a response from an API and produce security badges. I have successfully automated the badge creation process, and now CatWorx can spend more time focusing on their core products and services!

Now that I have reached the end, I want to take a moment and reflect on some of the key tasks I accomplished using C#:

  • Set up the development environment by installing a VS Code extension and the .NET Core SDK.
  • Used namespaces to organize the code and import libraries from the .NET framework.
  • Defined functions and classes by using C# syntax.
  • Used the System.IO namespace to write to a CSV file.
  • Imported the System.Drawing.Common package to use graphics tools to create the badge template background.
  • Used the WebClient class to insert employee data into the badge template.

Although many differenece are evident between C# and JavaScript, there are also many similarities that reduced the learning curve, such as understanding the leveraging the object-oriented approach to programming.

With my newfound familiarity with C#, a new world of development possibilities has emerged. C# is exceptionally versatile. Along with the .NET framework and a few extensions, I can use it to create many different types of apps, imcluding mobile, web, desktop, cloud, and even gaming. By adding C# to my skill set, I have added a modern general-purpose language known for its speed and reliability with a vast community of resources and developers (including the backing of Microsoft!), which ensures a long and successful development existence.