Windhoek
While some youth are overpowered by their busy social lives, business-minded people start on their projects and plans early.
Driven by curiosity and an urge to be groundbreaking, 21-year-old Martin Imene developed a computer programme called the Hydro-Power Assessment Software Tool (HPAST).
HPAST uses data collected on a daily basis by an employee working in a hydro-power plant and effectively assesses this data to create overall bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, mixed charts and then generate detailed reports, as well as printing and sending e-mail updates, assessing and managing employees, keeping records and so forth.
Apart from the many inbuilt assessment capabilities of the software, it is most importantly aimed at helping its intended users make well-informed decisions.
“HPAST was developed using the Java programming language which I personally consider to be the most effective and best programming language to use, especially in Namibia as a developing country. This is because almost every device in the world today supports the Java programming language.
“Java language is platform-independent, meaning it can run on any computer running any operating system, thus making it more flexible and friendly to any changing computing environment,” says Imene.
Imene, currently a third-year Computer Science student at the Namibia University Science and Technology (NUST), majoring in Software Development, started using computers and writing software in his early high school years at Heroes Private School.
Although he was never very good at it, as most people at the time lacked computing equipment, he always enjoyed developing computer programmes, especially communication tools and games.
His first computer programme was a chat application that he named ‘Let’s Chat’, developed in 2012, which enables registered users to communicate with one another.
“I had not really planned to develop HPAST in the way I have today. This is because from the beginning when I started developing it I was using a popular methodology in software development, called agile methodology. Agile methodology is a replacement for traditional software project management.
“I started working on my project in November 2015 and there is no saying when I got finished with it or when I will get finished with it, because I will continue upgrading it to make it even better. I also have many more amazing applications I am currently working on,” he says.
The ambitious Imene believes that his programme is worth more than N$120 000 and will keep upgrading it.
“I see my software (HPAST) giving me much-needed attention and consultancy from anyone in the software development industry who likes my work and giving me new challenges and knowledge in software development,” he says.
His inspiration comes from people around him with a strong will to succeed and make something out of themselves. He advises fellow aspiring software developers that developing a computer application, or programme, is not done overnight – it requires time and dedication.
Just as the tools and laws of success apply in every aspect in life, so too in software development. It requires unlimited research time, reading computer programming books, i.e. programming in Java for dummies and database programming.
“Most importantly, practice every day, finish high school and pursue a career in Computer Science to build yourself,” he advises.