Forem: Salim Ọlánrewájú Oyinlọlá

Beyond the Classroom: Inspiring Careers in Open Source

Salim Ọlánrewájú Oyinlọlá — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:00:25 +0000

Hi, I’m Salim Oyinlola, a GitHub Campus Expert studying at the University of Lagos in Nigeria. As a Campus Expert, my role is to support and enrich the tech communities around me, and I’ve had the privilege of working closely with GitHub Education to make that happen. Over time, I’ve come to realize how powerful communities can be in shaping our careers—and how often students like myself don’t get to see the many paths to a career in tech available to us.

A picture of Salim Oyinlola on the intro of the Beyond the Classroom: Open Source Stories documentary

In my local tech community, I’ve observed that students believe there’s a single, defined route to success in tech: learn the basics via the platforms on the GitHub Student Developer Pack, do the same for Data Structures and Algorithms, grind LeetCode, host HackerRank practice marathons with friends, and nail those mock interviews to land an internship. Many see this as the ultimate pathway, but I’ve come to understand there’s another rewarding route that also works well: open source.

While internships are widely recognized as the gold standard of practical experience, I believe there’s equally as much to gain—sometimes more—from getting involved in open source projects. Internships teach you about teamwork, what it’s like to be part of a larger tech stack, and introduce you to real-world working dynamics. Open source, however, offers a different kind of learning where you’re gaining these same teamwork skills but on a global scale, coding and collaborating with people from across the world. It’s where you learn not only to code but also to connect, bridging time zones, backgrounds, and skill levels.

The Challenges of Building a Career in Open Source in Nigeria

Building a career in open source isn’t easy, especially here in Nigeria. Students face challenges like scarce mentorship opportunities, and low awareness about what open source even is. But despite these challenges, I’ve seen many Nigerian students dive into open source, driven by community, curiosity, and the chance to contribute to projects that impact people worldwide. I found eight students whose journey shows that open-source involvement can be both a stepping stone and a fulfilling pursuit, even with limited resources. And so, Beyond the Classroom: Open Source Stories was born.

Beyond the Classroom: Open Source Stories

This four-episode documentary series, released in October 2024 for HacktoberFest, shines a light on Nigerian students who have crafted tech careers outside of traditional classroom paths by immersing themselves in open source. The series features eight students from universities across Nigeria, each sharing how open source has opened doors to incredible opportunities and changed their career paths.

A compilation of the eight Nigerian students who told their stories.

Each episode explores a different stage in the open-source journey:

Episode One: Hello World – Here, each student talks about their first encounter with open source. They share what it means to them, their initial impressions, and the steps they took to make their first contributions.
Episode Two: Blooming Where You’re Planted – In this episode, the students discuss how they carved out a place for themselves within the open-source ecosystem. They share the obstacles, learning curves, and moments of self-discovery that helped them find their unique paths.
Episode Three: Money Makes the World Go Round – Financial realities come into play as the students reveal how they monetized their open-source passions, from Google Summer of Code (GSoC) to the MLH Fellowship and the Outreachy Internship. They explain how they balanced passion projects with financial needs.
Episode Four: It Takes a Village – This final episode delves into the motivations beyond money that keep these students in open source. They open up about the friendships, connections, and personal satisfaction they’ve gained from their contributions, proving that open source is as much about community as it is about code.

In the documentary, a recurring theme is the importance of the GitHub Student Developer Pack, which has been a crucial resource for all these students. They each share their favorite tools in the pack, highlighting how these resources have fueled their journeys.

The Power of Storytelling

If there’s one other thing I’m passionate about, it’s storytelling. I believe in the power of great storytelling, and I’m convinced that stories resonate far more with listeners/viewers than advice alone. This documentary series isn’t just about offering advice—it’s about telling real stories from real people. When we tell stories, especially drawn from our own experiences, we’re inviting people into a world where they can learn through the lens of another person’s lived experience. While advice tends to tell people what they should do, stories show them what’s possible, what has worked or failed, and why. For me, this approach makes stories not only relatable but impactful, because they allow listeners to draw their own conclusions, spark curiosity, empathy, and self-reflection.

Stories also create a deeper sense of connection that pure advice can’t. Through stories, abstract advice becomes personal and real, making the experience far more memorable. And in my view, when a story is told well, it leaves room for the listener to take away a unique lesson that resonates on a personal level.

The Role of Community Partnerships

To ensure that Beyond the Classroom reached a broad audience, I knew community partnerships would be essential. Partnering with Open Source Community Africa (OSCA) and CHAOSS Africa helped bring the series to life. These partnerships allowed us to leverage their networks to attract a diverse and engaged viewership, expanding our reach and impact in the open-source community. Most importantly, the support the documentary received from GitHub Education through the Campus Experts program was instrumental in making this series possible, providing resources and a platform to connect with a broader audience dedicated to open-source collaboration and learning.

Through Beyond the Classroom, I hope to inspire students to see open source as a powerful avenue for career growth and personal fulfillment. This project has shown me how storytelling can inspire others, how open source can empower, and how community partnerships can amplify our voices. For students across Nigeria, this documentary is proof that there are meaningful paths outside the classroom—paths built on passion, collaboration, and a love for learning.

Object-Oriented Design: Why don't you explain this to me like I'm five

Salim Ọlánrewájú Oyinlọlá — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 13:46:36 +0000

Introduction

In the world of creating software, a strong foundation is key. Before even writing a single line of code, there is a vital step called object-oriented analysis and design (OOAD). The method this step offers helps software developers plan solutions smartly, thereby ensuring smooth development. It lets software creators build applications that aren't just functional, but also adaptable, easy to maintain, and ready for future growth. With object-oriented programming languages now being the standard for everything from web development to running desktop applications, mastering and understanding object-oriented analysis and design has become essential.

In this article, I will guide you through the foundational concepts and principles of the process that allows you to take your ideas for an application into the right pieces so you know directly what code to write (i.e. Object-Oriented Design) in the form of a story-telling experience.

Object-Oriented Design: A relatable analogy

Many of today's widely adopted programming languages follow the object-oriented paradigm. However, it is important to note that this isn't the only programming approach available. To comprehend the advantages of object-oriented languages, I would draw a comparison with the alternative method i.e. procedural programming languages, such as the plain C language. In procedural coding, a program is composed of a sequence of operations to be executed. While certain portions might be structured into named functions for modularity, the primary objective is to move from Point X to Point Y in a bid to accomplish a task.

Permit me to compare these approaches by drawing a parallel with a familiar analogy. Think of traditional storytelling versus interactive theater. In traditional storytelling, it is almost like a classic book where the author guides you through the plot, describing each event and character's actions in a linear sequence. The narrative flows step by step, following a predefined path. This linear approach can be likened to procedural programming in software development as a program is designed as a series of instructions, much like the chapters of a book. While some sections might be grouped for better organization, the overall structure is sequential similar to how the author crafts a coherent story by arranging events.

A split-screen image showing a traditional storytelling scene on one side and actors performing in interactive theater on the other, representing the comparison between procedural programming and object-oriented programming.

A split-screen image showing a traditional storytelling scene on one side and actors performing in interactive theater on the other, representing the comparison between procedural programming and object-oriented programming.
Now, shift your mind to interactive theater. In this dynamic setting, instead of a single narrator guiding the story, different actors portray distinct characters, each with their motives and actions. This can be likened to object-oriented programming where a program is divided into objects. Much like the characters in the interactive theater, each object encapsulates its data and behavior, and these objects interact with each other, similar to actors on a stage. The characters' exchanges shape the unfolding story, just as the interactions between objects influence the software's behavior.

In both traditional storytelling and interactive theater, through the ages, we have heard some compelling and captivating narratives created. Similarly, in procedural and object-oriented programming, over the years, a couple of functional software or dare I say, life-changing software have been developed. However, the way these narratives or programs are structured and experienced differ. Just as interactive theater adds layers of complexity and engagement to the storytelling experience, object-oriented programming enhances software development by promoting reusability, adaptability, and modular design. Both paradigms have their merits, and their selection depends on the nature of the project. However, understanding the analogy between traditional storytelling and interactive theater would help you appreciate when and how to apply object-oriented programming, leading to software that's not only functional but also flexible, maintainable, and capable of adapting to changing requirements, much like an interactive theater experience that evolves based on audience interaction.

Reusability: Another working analogy

Now, let's relate this to code reusability. Imagine if a particular character or plot element in the story could only be used once and never appeared again. For sure, this would limit the possibilities for creating new stories with the same characters or elements. Similarly, in procedural programming, code segments are often tailored for a specific task and aren't easily adaptable for reuse in different contexts. Each piece of code is designed for a specific purpose, making it less flexible when applied to different scenarios.

On the other hand, in interactive theater where actors play distinct characters, each with their actions and roles, a character from one interactive theater production could seamlessly be integrated into another production, bringing their unique personality and actions. Real-life instances of this include when Olivia Pope from the American political thriller television series, Scandal showed up for an episode on How to Get Away with Murder or when Jake Peralta from the American police procedural comedy television series, Brooklyn Nine-Nine made a cameo appearance on New Girl. In object-oriented programming, this translates to the ability to create classes or objects that can be reused across different projects whilst encapsulating specific functionalities. This promotes efficient development as it is like having a library of well-developed characters ready to perform in different stories. To summarize, object-oriented programming excels in code reusability due to its modular and encapsulated nature.

Collaboration: Another viable comparison

Imagine having to rewrite an entire chapter of a book just to incorporate a new plot twist. That would be challenging and may disrupt the coherence of the entire story. In a similar sense, with traditional storytelling, the narrative follows a predetermined linear path - once the story is written and published, making significant changes would require altering the entire text, which can be a complex and time-consuming process. This rigidity is akin to procedural programming.

On the other hand, let's consider interactive theater. In this context, to incorporate a new plot twist - say the villain's origin story, only the attributes of the villain need to change and it seamlessly fits into the narrative. This adaptability mirrors the flexibility of object-oriented programming which in turn encourages collaboration.

Collaboration is essential in software development as it brings multiple individuals together to collectively create high-quality software products. For instance, another person's perspective can shed new light on your code, potentially identifying flaws, optimizations, or alternative solutions that you might have missed. Given that using object-oriented programming, the codebase is divided into discrete objects, each encapsulating specific behavior and data, it is easier to edit and collaborate. This parallels how scripts can be changed more easily with the interactive theater point of view.

APIE: Using the analogy

APIE stands for the four core principles of object-oriented programming – abstraction, polymorphism, inheritance and encapsulation. Now, in terms of the earlier analogy of interactive theater, here is what they imply:

Abstraction

Abstraction involves focusing on what an object does rather than how it does it. In other words, abstraction distills the essential characteristics of an object while hiding unnecessary details. In the context of our analogy, it suggests that when crafting a compelling story, you use the essential elements while omitting unnecessary details.

A diagram illustrating abstraction, with layers of details being abstracted away, leaving only the essential features.

Just as a skilled storyteller focuses on the core narrative, characters, and pivotal events, abstraction in object-oriented programming involves hiding all but the relevant data about an object to reduce complexity and increase efficiency.

Polymorphism

Polymorphism as a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming allows objects of different classes to be treated as if they are objects of a common base class. It enables you to write more flexible and versatile code by abstracting away the specific implementation details of each class.

In the context of our analogy, imagine you're the director of a superhero interactive theater franchise and you have two iconic characters: Superman and Wonder Woman. Each of these characters has unique abilities, background stories, and characteristics that make them distinct. As the director, you have a crucial scene where both Superman and Wonder Woman need to save the day. However, you want to keep your script and scenes as flexible as possible, allowing for different superheroes to be included in the future. This is where polymorphism comes into play: You decide to create a common base concept called "Superhero" that captures the core traits of all superheroes: their ability to save the day and make a difference. This base concept includes elements like wearing a signature costume, having a secret identity, and using unique powers to combat evil.

Now, in your movie scenes, whenever there's a moment that requires a superhero to step in and use their abilities, you simply set the stage for a "Superhero" to shine. You don't need to know in advance whether it will be Wonder Woman or Superman or any other superhero that comes along later. You trust that whoever steps into the role of the "Superhero" will embody those essential traits and characteristics.

In this analogy, the "Superhero" base concept represents the polymorphic aspect. It allows you, the director, to create scenes and scenarios that are open to interpretation by different specific superheroes, each with their unique abilities and stories. The audience sees these characters as superheroes, regardless of whether they have super strength like Wonderwoman or rely on gadgets like Batman.

This flexible approach not only makes your movies more adaptable for future additions to the superhero cast but also reinforces the idea that the superhero archetype is more about the core values and actions rather than the specific individual wearing the cape and mask. This is similar to how polymorphism in object-oriented programming allows you to interact with objects of different classes through a common interface, regardless of their specific implementations.

Inheritance

Inheritance is a mechanism that allows a new class (subclass or derived class) to inherit properties and behaviors from an existing class (superclass or base class). This promotes code reuse and hierarchy. This mimics the way characters' traits are inherited by their successors in a theatrical series.

A visual representation of inheritance, with a hierarchy of people, showing how properties and behaviors are inherited from a base class.

Just as a new character in a show retains certain characteristics from its predecessor, subclasses inherit and extend the functionalities of their parent class, fostering code reuse and maintaining a structured hierarchy. As a test, would you say Tariq St. Patrick from the spin-off and sequel to the popular crime drama television series Power, Ghost is a sub-class of James St. Patrick from the original show? I think yes.

Encapsulation

Encapsulation involves bundling data and methods that operate on the data into a single unit, known as a class. This paradigm serves as a protective barrier that prevents outside code from directly accessing or modifying an object's internal state. This shields the object's internal complexities and ensures that changes to the object's implementation do not disrupt other parts of the codebase.

Encapsulation is similar to the backstage management of an interactive theater production. Behind the scenes, various aspects such as costumes, props, and scripts are carefully organized and managed to ensure a smooth and cohesive performance. Just as audience members at the theater only interact with the on-stage actors and props, encapsulation restricts external access to an object's internal state, allowing interactions through well-defined interfaces. This safeguards the integrity of the object and maintains the overall stability of the codebase.

In all, these principles contribute to well-structured, maintainable, and adaptable software systems, just as they enhance the dynamics and effectiveness of storytelling and theatrical performances. Finally, I admit that in some instances, the analogies might have been flawed. After all, we can rarely have two situations with the same peculiarities. However, I hope I have been able to shed more light on the concept of Object-Oriented Design a little more for you.

Introduction to Database Optimization

Salim Ọlánrewájú Oyinlọlá — Sun, 06 Aug 2023 20:00:59 +0000

Normalization

During the early 1970s, Edgar Codd formulated a set of rules for arranging data within databases, collectively referred to as normalization rules. Database normalization is a cornerstone of effective data organization, ensuring reliability, consistency, and efficiency within relational databases. It's a systematic approach that guides designers in structuring database tables to minimize redundancy, prevent anomalies, and enhance data integrity. Through a series of progressive steps known as normal forms, databases are optimized for better management and query performance. These guidelines are pivotal in mitigating redundancy and bolstering data integrity. Each normal form builds upon the previous one, refining the database structure to adhere to well-defined rules. This article delves into the fundamental concepts of normalization, exploring the key principles of the first, second, and third normal forms, their significance, and how they contribute to the overall efficiency and reliability of a database system.

The initial three regulations, denoted as the first, second, and third normal forms, serve as the standard benchmarks for optimizing business databases. The application of these principles represents a critical phase in the design of any database. These guidelines comprise a series of formal criteria, with each subsequent rule building upon the preceding one as we progress toward achieving the third normal form.

While the definitions of these forms involve scholarly intricacies rooted in the mathematical underpinnings of databases, they provide intriguing insights for those inclined towards such knowledge. Upon the implementation of the second normalization rule in a database, we can affirm its compliance with that specific normal form. Beyond the third normal form, multiple other normal forms exist; however, due to their complexity, in this article, I will not delve into them here, as they are better suited for more advanced database scenarios. The process of normalization aids in precluding issues while working with data and warrants revisitation whenever modifications are introduced to the schema or the structural makeup of a database.

First Normal Form

The concept of the first normal form in database design ensures the organization of data by requiring each cell to hold single, indivisible values and eliminating repetitive groups within tables. This principle promotes data integrity and reduces redundancy. It necessitates that fields within tables contain singular values, discouraging the presence of columns representing multiple instances of data within a single row. The extension of the first normal form further mandates the eradication of duplicate rows and emphasizes that the arrangement of rows and columns bears no impact on data interpretation.

Ultimately, adherence to the first normal form sets the foundation for effective database optimization and data management.

Second Normal Form

The second normal form stipulates that no entry within our table should be contingent solely on a portion of a key that serves to uniquely identify a row. This implies that for any column present in the table, excluding those forming the key, each value must be grounded solely in the entirety of the key. These values must convey information about a specific row that isn't ascertainable merely from a segment of the key. This challenge often arises in scenarios involving composite keys. To delve into the requisites of the second normal form, let's focus on the events table as an example.

Third Normal Form

While the second normal form tells us that we should not be able to determine a value in a column from only part of a composite key, third normal form tells us we should not be able to figure out any value in a column that is not a key. The concept builds upon the principles of the first and second normal forms and addresses the issue of transitive dependencies within a relational database. The goal of the third normal form is to eliminate these transitive dependencies by decomposing the table into smaller, related tables. In a table adhering to 3NF, each non-key attribute should depend directly on the primary key, without being influenced by other non-key attributes.

To achieve third normal form, a table must already satisfy the criteria of 2NF. This means that all non-key attributes are fully functionally dependent on the primary key, with no partial dependencies. Also, if there's a transitive dependency, it's necessary to decompose the table into multiple tables to ensure that each non-key attribute depends solely on the primary key.

Denormalization

Although adhering to the practice of normalizing databases up to the third normal form is widely recommended, there can be instances where business demands or database performance concerns necessitate deviating from the principles of normalization. Denormalization emerges as a process deliberately introducing data duplication within tables, thereby contravening the rules of normalization. Importantly, denormalization is implemented subsequent to the normalization process and does not imply the avoidance of normalization altogether. In the context of our restaurant database, the likelihood of encountering performance bottlenecks remains low in the near future. However, it serves as an illustrative example of the denormalization concept.

Denormalization revolves around making trade-offs. Often, there's an acceleration in data retrieval speed accompanied by a compromise in data consistency. The decision to denormalize hinges on evaluating your unique business requisites. While it may offer gains in query performance, it's essential to weigh this advantage against the potential reduction in data integrity. Ultimately, the choice to denormalize should align with the specific needs and priorities of your organization.

Conclusion

Just to recap on the three laws:

First Normal Form (1NF):

1NF mandates that each cell in a table should contain only atomic (indivisible) values, eliminating repeating groups and ensuring single values per field.

Second Normal Form (2NF):

2NF stipulates that non-key attributes must be fully functionally dependent on the entire primary key, eliminating partial dependencies.

Third Normal Form (3NF):

3NF addresses transitive dependencies by requiring that non-key attributes be dependent solely on the primary key, eliminating dependencies on other non-key attributes.

AIHiveCollective: The Netflix for AI Tools

Salim Ọlánrewájú Oyinlọlá — Tue, 23 May 2023 22:07:54 +0000

What I built: AIHiveCollective: The Netflix for AI Tools

Category Submission: Wacky Wildcards

App Link

https://allhive.azurewebsites.net/

Screenshots

One of the tools is shown below:

Description

AIHive is a cutting-edge Flask application designed for AI developers and enthusiasts who are eager to share and explore an array of AI tools in a seamless and integrated manner. AIHive's structure is inspired by the popular entertainment platform, Netflix. Designed in a user-friendly 'Netflix for AI Tools' manner, AIHive Collective provides a dynamic platform where AI professionals can contribute, share, and explore an ever-growing library of AI tools. In the spirit of open-source, AIHive Collective encourages its users to upload their creations, document their methodologies, and share their inventive approaches with our global community.

Link to Source Code

https://github.com/HammedBabatunde/AIHiveCollective

Background (What made you decide to build this particular app? What inspired you?)

How I built it (How did you utilize GitHub Actions or GitHub Codespaces? Did you learn something new along the way? Pick up a new skill?)

By creating a .yaml file, I utilized GitHub Actions to automate the deployment of this fun AI project. The idea is quite simple. The project allows AI developers make new entries by contributing to the code and adding their own AI tools.

Arduino-Based Smart Gate System Prototype for Vehicle Detection and Access Control

Salim Ọlánrewájú Oyinlọlá — Tue, 23 May 2023 21:57:33 +0000

Arduino-Based Smart Gate System Prototype for Vehicle Detection and Access Control

Category Submission: Interesting IoT

Screenshots

The gate and road before the car reached the sensor;

The gate and road after the car reached the sensor;

The YouTube video can be found here

Description

This Arduino-based Smart Gate System is designed to automate the opening and closing of a gate in response to the presence of a vehicle approaching it. This project utilizes an Arduino Uno board along with various components such as an ultrasonic sensor, a servo motor, a buzzer, and LEDs to create an intelligent gate system. The system aims to enhance security, convenience, and efficiency by eliminating the need for manual gate operation.

Components:

Arduino Uno Board: The Arduino Uno acts as the brain of the system, processing sensor data and controlling the gate mechanism.

Ultrasonic Sensor: An ultrasonic sensor is employed to detect the presence of a vehicle approaching the gate. It emits ultrasonic waves and measures the time taken for the waves to bounce back after hitting an object. By calculating the distance between the gate and the vehicle, the system determines if a vehicle is within a predefined range.

Servo Motor: A servo motor is used to control the gate's opening and closing mechanism. It is connected to the gate and rotates to either open or close it in response to commands from the Arduino.

Buzzer: A small buzzer is incorporated to provide audio feedback to the user. It produces sound alerts to indicate different system states, such as gate opening, closing, or any errors.

LEDs: LEDs are used to provide visual indications of the system's status. Different colored LEDs can be employed to signify various events, such as gate open, gate closed, or system error.

Working Principle:

Initialization: Upon startup, the Arduino initializes all the components, including the ultrasonic sensor, servo motor, buzzer, and LEDs.

Distance Measurement: The ultrasonic sensor continuously emits ultrasonic waves and measures the time taken for the waves to return after hitting an object. By converting the time into distance using a predefined formula, the system determines the distance between the gate and any approaching vehicle.

Vehicle Detection: The Arduino compares the measured distance with a predefined threshold to determine if a vehicle is within range. If the distance is below the threshold, it signifies the presence of a vehicle approaching the gate.

Gate Control: Upon detecting a vehicle, the Arduino sends a command to the servo motor to open the gate. The gate remains open for a specified duration to allow the vehicle to pass through.

Gate Closing: After the specified duration, the Arduino sends another command to the servo motor to close the gate. Alternatively, the gate can also be closed manually using a push button or by sensing the departure of the vehicle.

Feedback: Throughout the process, the buzzer emits different sounds to provide audio feedback to the user. The LEDs also indicate the current state of the gate, such as open or closed, and any errors that may occur.

Future Prospects:

The Arduino-based Smart Gate System prototype showcases the potential for implementing an intelligent gate system at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos. Additionally, a comprehensive user interface could be developed to monitor gate status and configure system settings. The prototype serves as a foundation for a scalable and versatile smart gate solution, promising increased efficiency and security in managing vehicle access.

Link to Source Code

https://github.com/salimcodes/SmartGatebySalim

Permissive License

Background (What made you decide to build this particular app? What inspired you?)

As an engineering student at the University of Lagos, I have always been driven by a deep desire to utilize my knowledge and skills for the betterment of society. It was during my time on campus that I witnessed the immense burden placed on the security personnel who tirelessly opened and closed the gate of the faculty entrance. Their tireless efforts to ensure the safety of our academic community inspired me to find a solution that would alleviate their workload and enhance efficiency.

Filled with determination and a passion for creating positive change, I embarked on a journey to develop a smart gate using Arduino technology. The concept was simple yet powerful: to automate the gate-opening process by integrating an ultrasonic sensor that would detect approaching vehicles and trigger the gate to open or close accordingly. This innovative solution would not only reduce the stress on the security personnel but also streamline the traffic flow, making the entire system more efficient and secure.

The journey towards building this smart gate was not without its challenges. I faced numerous obstacles, from technical difficulties to time constraints. However, my unwavering dedication and belief in the transformative power of engineering fueled my determination to overcome every hurdle that came my way. I spent countless hours researching, prototyping, and refining the design, constantly pushing myself to deliver the best possible solution.

But it was more than just creating a technological marvel. For me, this project was deeply personal. It was a reflection of my commitment to making a meaningful impact and leaving a lasting legacy. I wanted to showcase the potential of engineering as a force for good, addressing real-world problems and contributing to the advancement of society.

How I built it (How did you utilize GitHub Actions or GitHub Codespaces? Did you learn something new along the way? Pick up a new skill?)

GitHub Codespaces played a vital role in transforming the Arduino Uno prototype code into a commercially viable solution. The idea is simple. Using codespaces, With its cloud-based development environment, Codespaces enabled seamless code transfer and collaboration. The power of open source and collaboration, similar to AI's recent advancements, can propel IoT to new heights. By leveraging Codespaces, developers can share code, ideas, and best practices, accelerating innovation in IoT. This collaborative approach fosters interconnected solutions that address real-world challenges and enhance our lives.

Building the Salim Writing Blog

Salim Ọlánrewájú Oyinlọlá — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 23:23:36 +0000

Overview of my Submission

For my submission in the Redis Hackathon, I built a Blog Service with python's fastest web framework, FastAPI and Redis OM. I was able to create a Redis database on Redis, database models with Redis-OM and then develop Restful APIs with Python FastAPI that could interact with Redis to create, retrieve and search data. FastAPI is a modern, high-performance Web framework for developing RESTful APIs in Python. It is known for being fast, easy and automatically generating swagger API docs.

The inspiration for this project is simply from how much I love to write. By virtue of how much I love to write and my curiosity as a software engineer, I have always wondered what the database architecture of blogging services would be like.

Here is the link to the GitHub repository what I built is stored in containing a README and a MIT license.

https://github.com/salimcodes/salim-blog

Submission Category: Wacky Wildcards

Here's a short video that explains the project and how it uses Redis:

Language Used

I used Python for my project.

Link to Code: GitHub repository containing a README and a MIT license

salimcodes / salim-blog

Salim Blog API

A Simple Blog Service created with Fast API and Redis-OM

Overview video

Here's a short video that explains the project and how it uses Redis:

How it works

The blog is pretty simple. It has the following API's;

A GET method at the home page that displays the message Hello world, I am Salim from Africa!.
Two POST methods [to create authors and blogs respectively] that users can use to create a new blog and register as an author.

The author method collects the pk, first name, last name, email address, bio of the author and the date the author joined. The schema is shown below.

"pk": "string",
  "first_name": "string",
  "last_name": "string",
  "email": "string",
  "bio": "string",
  "date_joined": "2022-08-24T16:59:09.222111"

A GET method that retrieves the created blogs.
A PUT method that is capable of updating blogs.
A DELETE method that makes users able to delete blogs.

How

…

View on GitHub

Collaborators

Solo project

Screenshots and Demos

Check out Redis OM, client libraries for working with Redis as a multi-model database.
Use RedisInsight to visualize your data in Redis.
Sign up for a free Redis database.

Speech-To-Text Technology: The mental health angle (Innovative Ideas Challenge)

Salim Ọlánrewájú Oyinlọlá — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 17:44:34 +0000

Introduction

When I discovered that there was a category for innovative ideas in the Deepgram Hackathon on DEV, my joy knew no bounds. I have always believed that only with innovative and fresh ideas can technology, and by extension, the world make progress. This is because I believe innovation is the cornerstone of sustained economic growth and prosperity. That was why I applied for this category of the hackathon. Although prior to the Deepgram x DEV Hackathon, I had not encountered Deepgram, given my interest in Artificial Intelligence, I am not new to the concept of speech recognition technology. It is worthy of note that I am not only interested in Artificial Intelligence. However, my social impact activities has made me grown an interest in the field of mental health. Mental health is the state of well-being in which the individual realizes his/her own abilities, hence being able to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully and above all, is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Without an iota of doubt, the issue of mental health is an important one that should not be treated with levity. Ergo, as much as I can, I endeavour to advocate for open conversations along with better awareness and understanding of mental health issues. This is why this particular submission resonates with me.

My Deepgram Use-Case

For context, in 2021, I was [opportuned to be amongst the 6% of undergraduate students] worldwide selected as a United Nations Millennium Fellow. The United Nations Academic Impact stipulates that selected fellows are required to work on a project of their choice in tandem with a Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) of their choice. I worked on the third Sustainable Development Goal (Good health and Well-being).

In general, there is a global shortage of mental health workers, with demand outstripping service provision. In a country like mine (Nigeria), reports suggest that we have as few as 0.1 psychiatrists for every 1,000,000 people. As an innovative young mind, whilst many see a problem, I see an opportunity. I opine that the insufficient number of mental health workers should prompt the utilization of technological advancement to meet the needs of the people who are affected by mental health conditions. Furthermore, the laissez faire approach to mental health in some parts of the world reduces the chances of persons with mental health disorders to get treatment.

It is estimated that mental health represents around 34% of the global disease burden, and with this predicted to increase, the NHS faces more pressure to meet these demands as ever. One “solution” that appears to be growing in popularity is the use of chatbots for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions.

Dive into Details

Chatbots are systems that are able to converse and interact with human users using spoken (our use case), written and visual languages. However, my idea would be focusing on the spoken languages use-case mainly for the ease and anonymity it offers. My belief is that chatbots have the potential to be useful tools for individuals with mental disorder, especially those who are reluctant to seek mental health advice due to stigmatization.
Given the growing availability of large health databases and corpora, a chatbot can be designed using several evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral reinforcement and mindfulness to target symptoms of depression for users.
The major benefactors of this idea are people with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, dementia, phobic disorders, stress and eating disorders.

Using Deepgram’s SDKs which are supported for use with the Deepgram API, it becomes possible to create a chatbot that can convert the speech input made by users to text. This chatbot will depend only on a well-versed decision tree that will generate their responses. This implementation will be a web-based chatbot as opposed to stand-alone software for two reasons. Firstly, to use web-based chatbots, users do not need to install a specific application to their devices, thereby reducing the risk of breaching the privacy. Secondly, web-based chatbots are more accessible than stand-alone chatbots.

Conclusion

From participating in Deepgram hackathon ‘Innovative Ideas’ challenge, I have learnt more about speech-to-text technology. Furthermore, I am super glad I could use this opportunity to advocate for open conversations about mental health issues whilst being innovative with challenges that relates to mental health.

Speech-to-text Technology: Tales of just another knackered Software Developer (Innovative Ideas Challenge)

Salim Ọlánrewájú Oyinlọlá — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 06:55:22 +0000

Introduction

When I recieved the newsletter announcing the commencement of the Deepgram hackathon on DEV, I was super excited. I had always had a plethora of innovative ideas on how speech-to-text technology could help a number of people and that was why I decided to participate in the Innovative Ideas category of the Deepgram Hackathon on DEV. I believe that with a number of my innovative ideas, millions of lives can be bettered. I am of the opinion that Deepgram can be embedded in applications such that it would ease people’s lives. I guess it is a great thing that the hackathon allows for users to make as many submissions as they would like. Although prior to the Deepgram x DEV Hackathon, I had not encountered Deepgram, given my interest in Artificial Intelligennce, I am not new to the concept of speech recognition technology.

I wrote on my first submission on how Deepgram can help make student’s lives much better. On this submission, I would be talking about how Deepgram’s API can be used to help developers. I mean, the first set of people that should benefit from a developer’s API should be other developers, right? Such selfish beings, developers.

My Deepgram Use-Case

My idea is pretty simple. A speech-to-text application that would help programmers and software developers who blog. Apart from earning $80k to $90k per annum, programmers are often encouraged to spend some of their time on blogging. The general consensus is that it will add extra benefits to one’s career and one can be a reason to inspire other fellow programmers or students. Although I do not earn $80k to $90k per annum, I constantly find myself blogging my software development journey. The benefits of blogging for programmers and developers cannot be over-emphasized. A programmer’s blog helps provide an ample opportunity to learn and polish their skills. A programmer’s blog can be a survival guide for beginner developers. A programmer’s blog will help build relations with new developers. A programmer’s blog also creates a timeline for their growth. However, after writing hundreds (try thousands?) of lines of code, writing that 500-word blog post explaining the process can seem like a tall order. I have experienced this first-hand and that was what inspired my submission to the Innovative Ideas category of the Deepgram Hackathon on Dev. I believe Deepgram could help with their speech-to-text technology by making sure all tired software developers have to do is speak. Without an iota of doubt, I believe I would rather talk about the process of using a Linear Regression algorithm than stare at my screen and write (after writing codes all day or all week long).

Dive into Details

This innovative idea will help such that blogging will become easier and less laborious for software developers. Using Deepgram's SDKs, which are supported for use with the Deepgram API, a pre-recorded audio file can be automatically transcribed. This will make sure the audio that the blogger (or software developer) had pre-recorded using a voice recorder can be converted from audio to text. As such, bloggers who are the major benefactor of this idea can easily pre-record their post. I took a look at Deepgram's documentation and realized that this is very possible. The most important Deepgram feature for this is the one that allows for the transcription of pre-recorded audios. To implement this, after creating a Deepgram account, I would need to generate a unique Deepgram API key. Since I am more accustomed to python, I would look to pip install the needed third-party module using the command pip install deepgram-sdk. In the terminal, I would create a new file in my project's location, and populate it with code as given in the documentation. I think it is worthy of note that Speech-to-Text technology improves endurance and reduce writing fatigue by eliminating the physical act of composing to paper and keyboard. This will in turn shift focus from the physical act of writing to that of expression and organization of thoughts and knowledge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, from participating in Deepgram Hackathon on DEV, I have gained a lot of insights as regards how speech-to-text technologies work and how it can help education as the key to development while it opens up a world of endless possibilities. Excited about my next innovative idea? Well, I am!

Speech-to-text Technology: Tales of just another knackered college student (Innovative Ideas Challenge)

Salim Ọlánrewájú Oyinlọlá — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 11:23:14 +0000

Introduction

For as long as I can remember, I have always been obsessed with the idea of automation. Be it schedule-sending mails or walking past an automatic door, the idea of things operating on their own without fail after being pre-programmed really just tickles my fancy. As an undergraduate student of Electrical and Electronics Engineering with a focus on Artificial Intelligence, I am constantly stressed out by virtue of the immense workload. From attending long classes to going for laboratory experiments to preparing for exams to writing term papers whilst managing projects, the hustle and bustle is non-stop. Take into account my social impact and volunteering commitments and you might just have the perfect stress recipe. As such, I find myself constantly thinking of ways to automate as many tasks as possible. I guess this constant urge to reduce labor whilst increasing productivity was the genesis behind my fixation for innovative ideas. Although prior to the Deepgram x DEV Hackathon, I had not encountered Deepgram, given my interest in Artificial Intelligennce, I am not new to the concept of speech recognition technology.

My Deepgram Use-Case

The origin of this idea traces back to my last holiday. In a bid to give back to the community whilst staying proactive, I was tutoring a younger student (let’s call him Dipo) in preparation for his Secondary School Leaving Examinations. The student in question is quite acquainted with and fond of technological gadgets and his action that particular day struck a string so hard, it almost felt like a Eureka moment. I asked him the value of Planck’s constant, a fundamental physics constant used in quantum mechanics calculations only to be answered by his phone. Now that I think of it, I don’t know what was more surprising at that point. The accuracy to which the Google assistant returned the constant or the fact that the Google assistant heard what I said, considering how fast I usually talk. Perhaps, I was distracted by the euphoria that hit me. I am pretty convinced that what I felt is similar to how Archimedes felt when he supposedly hopped out of his bath and ran onto the streets to tell the king, ‘I’ve found it’. I felt like a game-changer. I thought to myself, ‘if Dipo could do that to his tutor, why can’t I do that on my college professors?’ Of course, I would need their permission in my case. Right at that moment, I realized that if I harnessed reliable speech-to-text technology, I could save myself a boatload of stress. And, I believe a lot of college students feel the same way. Wouldn’t life be much easier if instead of typing as the lecturers gave their lectures during the online classes, one simply had a speech-to-text technology convert their lectures to a text document?

Dive into Details

Although speech recognition technology is already a part of our everyday lives, for now, it is still limited in its application areas. Speech-to-text technology, and by extension, Artificial Intelligence has the potential to make far-reaching changes in the educational sector. As in my innovative idea, with an app that automatically transcribes live streaming audio from the lecturers in real time using Deepgram’s SDKs, which are supported for use with the Deepgram API will improve endurance and reduce writing fatigue by eliminating the physical act of composing to paper and keyboard. This will in turn shift focus from the physical act of writing to that of expression and organization of thoughts and knowledge. In a bid to confirm this hypothesis, I tried this locally when I endeavored to turn BBC’s live stream into text. Here was my result.

A sample of my code can be found here.

Conclusion

Finally, as an artificial intelligence enthusiast, I am excited by how much speech-to-text technology, a subset of Artificial Intelligence can change the way we look at Education. With the research I did whilst participating in Deepgram Hackathon "Innovative Ideas" challenge, I have gained a lot of insights as regards how speech-to-text technologies work and how it can help education as the key to development while it opens up a world of endless possibilities.