The latest articles on DEV Community by Cole Murphy (@cmtacotophat). https://dev.to/cmtacotophat https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4237716%2F48ffa3da-620a-4c5c-add3-dd8a4700a7d3.jpg https://dev.to/cmtacotophat en Cole Murphy Tue, 10 Nov 2026 19:15:27 +0000 https://dev.to/cmtacotophat/my-hackathon-a-learning-experience-1mk7 https://dev.to/cmtacotophat/my-hackathon-a-learning-experience-1mk7 <p><em>This is a submission for the <a href="https://dev.to/mlh-hackathon">MLH x DEV Writing Challenge</a></em></p> <h2> What I Built </h2> <p>I took the time this hackathon to do something I've always wanted to learn - graphics programming!</p> <p>I created a new OpenTK project in VSCode, and then proceeded to explore the possibilities of the library, follow some tutorials, and read up on how GPU programming and architectures work.</p> <p>Without the aim of any particular goal, I was free to explore and learn as much as I could to prepare for next time I would find it convenient to use this as an application medium. Along the way, I ventured into...</p> <ul> <li>VAOs and VBOs</li> <li>GLSL syntax</li> <li>Vertex and Fragment shaders</li> <li>...and more!</li> </ul> <h2> Demo </h2> <p>Here is an example of one of the programs I created, combining shader code and real-time interactivity:<br> </p> <div class="crayons-card c-embed text-styles text-styles--secondary"> <div class="c-embed__content"> <div class="c-embed__body"> <h2 class="fs-xl lh-tight"> <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ARznky0FuEOrUfF6u5ct1aqxgB7Qdtb/view?usp=sharing" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link"> GraphicsExplorationDemo.mp4 - Google Drive </a> </h2> <div class="color-secondary fs-s flex items-center"> <img alt="favicon" class="c-embed__favicon m-0 mr-2 radius-0" src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fssl.gstatic.com%2Fdocs%2Fdoclist%2Fimages%2Fdrive_favicon_2026_32dp.png" width="32" height="32"> drive.google.com </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> Partner Technologies </h2> <p>One partner technology I found particularly useful in my foray into graphics programming was GitHub, or more specifically, GitHub Copilot. it was a very effective tool during all parts of my process, helping educate me on the finer points of syntax, enriching the debugging process, and suggesting good practices. I think my favorite part about it is how I was able to still keep creative and exploratory control to better myself, letting it take the best supportive role it could.</p> <h2> Hackathon Experience/Conclusion </h2> <p>As for the specific hackathon, it was the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's HackRPI, a yearly event I got to participate in for the first time as a freshman. The atmosphere was incredible, with good food and fascinating projects everywhere I looked. The staff were also very supportive, and the organizers did an impeccable job curating an environment like those you would see in the companies of tech-fi movies.</p> <p>That is to say, I will definitely be attending next year, ideally getting the opportunity to use what I've learned from this one!</p> <p>And finally, of course, feel free to ask any questions about what I learned/was able to achieve in the comments! I would be happy to answer them</p> mlhacks devchallenge hackathon