StudBudget

A standalone C++ application with an integrated GUI built in Qt designed to help students keep track of expenses and save money.

App Download

Video Demo

Features

1. Personalized financial advice

• Based on our algorithms and your spending patterns!

2. Data visualization

• Pie charts and line graphs by month, year, and category!

3. Specialized expense categories for college students

• Includes:
  • Tuition
  • Food
  • Rent
  • Entertainment
  • Savings
  • Misc

4. Your own StudBudget account and user profile!

• Allows you to save your financial data
• Receive financial help tailored to you!
• Database implementation created from scratch to store local data

Getting Started

In order to build this app, we had a team of 7 that was split into several main areas (see Authors below for who did what):

• Backend -- Calculations
• Frontend -- Qt GUI
• Data Visualization -- Using QtCharts
• Integration -- Combining the frontend and backend

Prerequisites

Coding StudBudget required prior knowledge of C++, but some things we were able to learn along the way included:

• GitHub
• Qt
  • QtCreator
  • QtCharts
  • QtDesigner
• Databases (using text file(s))
• User Authentication / Login system
• Encryption, Security, Hashing

Installing for Open Source use

You will need to clone this GitHub repository (or make your own if you're starting from scratch), and download Qt.

We used the commercial trial of Qt, which only lasts for a short period of time, but you may be able to extend it if you contact the company. The Qt installation may take some time.

You can also use the open source version of Qt, which is free but does not include all the same features. Visit Qt's website for more details.

Deployment

Deployment was difficult using Qt. We were able to deploy the app for Windows by creating a standalone .exe file, but deploying for Mac proved to be more difficult.

It may be easier to start off using Qt Open Source, as it allows you to deploy the app more easily, it is free, and your access to it will not suddenly end like the commercial trial.

Authors

For any questions or comments, please reach out to one of us!

• Luke Herczeg - Team Leader, Backend, Database, Integration, Deployment - GitHub
• Kayla Barrera - Qt GUI, GitHub Repo, Integration - GitHub
• Caitlin Becker - Data Visualization in Qt, Hashing Algorithm - GitHub
• Madeline Farina - Final Report, Security - GitHub
• Christie Ruales - Qt GUI - GitHub
• Justin Calloway - Product and Logo Design - GitHub
• Cat Euliano - GitHub

See also the list of contributors who participated in this project.