A hackathon is an event where people come together to create innovative solutions to real-world problems within a limited time, usually 24 to 48 hours. The word “hackathon” is a combination of two words: hack (which means creative problem-solving, not illegal hacking) and marathon (which represents continuous work over a long period).
In a hackathon, participants usually work in teams. These teams can include programmers, designers, and idea creators. The main goal is to build a project such as a mobile app, website, software tool, or hardware prototype. Each team starts with an idea and works intensively to turn that idea into a working solution before the deadline.
Hackathons often begin with an opening session where organizers explain the rules, themes, and judging criteria. Sometimes, there are specific themes like Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Healthcare, or Smart Cities. After that, participants form teams and start brainstorming ideas. Once the idea is finalized, the team divides tasks among members and starts working on development.
During the hackathon, participants may receive guidance from mentors. Mentors are experienced professionals who help teams improve their ideas and solve technical problems. This makes the event more educational and helpful, especially for beginners.
At the end of the hackathon, each team presents their project to judges. This is called the final presentation or demo. Teams explain their idea, how it works, and why it is useful. Judges evaluate the projects based on criteria such as innovation, creativity, technical implementation, usefulness, and presentation.
Hackathons are not only about winning prizes, but also about learning and networking. Participants get the opportunity to improve their technical skills, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving abilities. They also meet new people, including students, developers, and industry experts, which can help them in their future careers.
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