Nur Alia Jannah is not your average teenager. At just 16, this Shah Alam native has impressed the tech giant Apple with her app development skills. Her creation, Tracklist, is not only a testament to her talent but also fills a significant gap in the App Store.
Self-Taught Prodigy
What’s even more remarkable is that Nur Alia is entirely self-taught in coding. Her journey began with the Swift Student Challenge (SSC), an annual competition by Apple. Inspired by the apps showcased at WWDC 2021, she decided to participate, and this year marked her third attempt.
Nur Alia’s initial hurdle was not having a MacBook, a common tool for developers. However, her determination shone through. She discovered Swift Playgrounds on her iPad, a platform specifically designed for beginners. The interactive, puzzle-based learning modules provided a solid foundation for her coding skills.
The Birth Of Tracklist
Image via JUICE
Nur Alia’s passion for music combined with her newly acquired coding skills led to the creation of Tracklist. Initially, the app was designed for her personal use, allowing her to keep track of reviews for albums, artists, and individual songs. But then, a realisation struck her:
Platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and Goodreads offered dedicated review spaces for movies and books, but music lacked a similar platform.
Tracklist emerged as a pioneering solution, allowing users to review music by title, artist, and genre. It provided a much-needed avenue for music enthusiasts to express their opinions and discover new tracks.
Her, Overcoming Challenges
Image via JUICE
Over the three-week development period, Alia faced technical hurdles, including a significant data loss incident. This experience underscored the importance of regular backups and persistent problem-solving skills – valuable lessons she wouldn’t have learned without the challenge.
Feedback also played a crucial role in refining Tracklist. Friends, family, and industry experts provided valuable suggestions that helped improve the app’s functionality and user interface. This collaborative spirit is essential for successful app development, and Nur Alia embraced it wholeheartedly.
A Bright Future For Tracklist
The SSC wasn’t just a competition for Nur Alia Jannah; it was a learning experience. She shared:
The SSC taught me that there is never too small of an idea and those ideas can always turn into something bigger and more wonderful
Nur Alia Jannah, Malaysian Self-Taught Coder
Her emphasis on consistency, openness to feedback, and continuous learning resonates deeply within the developer community.
Nur Alia Jannah believes that support from companies like Apple is instrumental in nurturing young talent.
Tracklist is currently in its beta phase, but with Alia’s dedication and the support of the developer community, it has the potential to become a valuable tool for music enthusiasts everywhere. The app allows users to discover new music based on shared tastes and opinions, fostering a vibrant online community of music lovers.
