The Journey of Logical Hammad

Every developer has a journey. Mine began at Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), where I entered as an average programmer. But something clicked early on — I started enjoying programming so much that it became my main hobby. I didn't just want to pass; I wanted to create, explore, and improve constantly. Today I work as a Software Engineer and Data Analyst, but the habit of building things for the fun of it never left.

Learning Through Games

My love for programming truly grew through game development. I completed the book "Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python" and implemented all of its games using Jupyter Notebook. To test my understanding and improve my skills, I rewrote those games from scratch using my own logic — first in Python, then in C++ (console), then using graphics.h, and finally in JavaScript for the web.

Some of the most important games I built:

• Tic Tac Toe: First created in Python, then C++, then graphics.h, and finally in JavaScript. The final web version includes an AI that's almost impossible to beat.
• AI Reversegame: A unique logic game that flips the traditional idea of play, using an unbeatable AI. Developed in Python first, then C++, and finally for the web. You can try this challenge yourself in the Projects section of my website.
• NIM AI: A console-based C++ version of the classic matchstick game where you play against an AI that never lets you win. Built in my very first semester — long before ChatGPT or online help existed as a shortcut.
• Infinity Ludo: A complete Ludo game built in C++ using graphics.h, with turn-based play, token logic, dice rolling, and collision detection. My most complex Data Structures project.

Innovative Academic Projects

I always aimed to build projects that were different, practical, and helpful:

• No Code Compiler: A C++ console program that lets users build actual code without writing any syntax — choosing conditions, loops, and variables from options that auto-generate a full C++ program.
• Video Processing Software: Built under the supervision of my HoD, Dr. Nadeem Anjum. A web-based player that lets users highlight sections of a video and apply actions like skip, mute, blur, fast-forward, or beep.
• Encryption Software: A Flask-based web project showcasing four encryption algorithms — RSA, Affine, Rail Fence, and Hashing — with live encryption and decryption in the browser.
• Digital Dice Simulator: An embedded system using two seven-segment displays, a push button, and a microcontroller.
• Clashes: A timetable management tool for CUST students that merges uploaded schedules and shows common free slots, with an admin panel for conflict checking and student-level filters.

Advanced Projects & Real-World Use

With time, I moved from academic to real-world impactful projects:

• SWAT (Smart Water Tank): Built with my friend Saad Abdullah Malik, SWAT uses an ESP microcontroller and a waterproof ultrasonic sensor to monitor water levels, sending data to Firebase Realtime Database and a web dashboard, with remote motor control. It's deployed at my home and works in real time.
• Facial Recognition System: A Flask web application that detects faces in uploaded photos, estimates age, gender, and mood, and matches them against stored records.
• Portfolio Website: Developed from scratch — this site. It acts as my portfolio and continues to grow with new projects and writing.
• CAUSE Society Website: Built using React, Tailwind CSS, and Supabase to help CUST students and faculty organize events, with request/approval workflows and access control.

Exploring Software Tools

I didn't just stop at academic projects — I explored browser extensions and system utilities too:

• YouTube Ad Blocker: A Chrome extension I created that removed YouTube ads — pre-rolls, mid-rolls, banners, and overlays — for about three months before being detected and disabled.
• Odoo Pro Extension: A Chrome extension that transformed my university's Odoo portal interface, fixing UI bugs and adding helpful features.

Mastering Full Stack Development

I also completed the MERN stack — MongoDB, ExpressJS, ReactJS, and NodeJS — which helped me build real-time apps and full-stack systems from scratch.

Major Milestones

• Autonomous Drone Delivery System (Final Year Project): An autonomous drone using a Pixhawk flight controller and Raspberry Pi 5, designed to deliver small packages (up to 2 kg) autonomously using LiDAR, GPS, and computer vision — involving SLAM and object detection. The most ambitious and technical project I've worked on.
• Hackathon Victory: Second place in a major inter-university hackathon hosted at CUST, competing against top talent from Islamabad, winning Rs. 75,000.
• Speed Programming Competitions: Won two speed programming contests — one at CUST (Spring 2024) and another at National Skills University Islamabad (May 2025) — plus strong showings in ICPC prelim rounds in 2022 and 2023.
• Graduation: Completed my Software Engineering degree at CUST and now work as a Software Engineer and Data Analyst, while continuing to build as Logical Hammad and co-founder of Nelston Technologies.

The Road Ahead

My journey is still ongoing. Every project has taught me something new. I don't just want to be a good engineer — I want to be a great one, and eventually create tools that help others grow as well.

Thank you for following my journey. If you'd like to collaborate, learn more, or just explore — browse through my projects on this site and feel free to reach out.

— Logical Hammad