There’s a special kind of thrill that comes with launching your first real project into the world. Today, I’m excited to share that feeling with you as I announce the completion of SubNetter – my very own subnet and VLSM calculator!
The Spark of an Idea: #
It all started with frustration. As I delved deeper into the world of networking and cybersecurity, I kept encountering clunky and unintuitive subnet calculators. I thought, “There has to be a better way!” That’s when the seed for SubNetter was planted.
Dual-Wielding Code: #
Subnetter wasn’t just one project; it became two interwoven journeys. I decided to build both a command-line interface (CLI) using Python and a full-fledged Android app with Flutter. I wanted to challenge myself and learn new skills along the way.
Python Power-Up: #
Building the CLI version of SubNetter forced me to level up my Python skills. I learned about the ipaddress library, parsing arguments with argparse, and even how to create beautifully formatted table output with tabulate. It was satisfying to see the logic come together, taking user input and spitting out accurate subnet calculations.
Flutter Frenzy (and Fun!): #
On the app side, Flutter was a whole new world. I had to wrap my head around widgets, state management, layouts, and navigation. It was a steep learning curve, but also immensely rewarding. Building a functional app with a user-friendly UI/UX felt like magic.
The Lessons Learned: #
Beyond the technical skills, this project taught me valuable lessons:
- Persistence: There were moments of doubt and frustration, but I pushed through and learned how to debug and solve problems.
- Planning: I realized the importance of planning before diving into code. Sketching out UI designs and thinking through the CLI’s flow saved me time in the long run.
- Iteration: I learned to embrace the process of making incremental improvements. SubNetter didn’t start perfect, but it got better with each iteration.
The Project Lives On: #
Subnetter is now available as both a Python CLI https://github.com/0xShakhawat/subnetter and an Android app on the Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.shakhawat.subnetter. I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve built, and I can’t wait to see how people use it.
View Project #
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This is just the beginning! I’m already brainstorming new features and updates for SubNetter, and I’m excited to continue exploring the world of software development.
#SubnetCalculator #Python #Flutter #AndroidDev #Cybersecurity #FirstProject #LearningToCode