Sam
McLennan
Software Developer | Educator | Language Enthusiast
About Me
I'm a self-taught software engineer with a formal education in finance and hands-on experience across several fields, including electrical engineering and teaching.
I first became interested in programming in 2024 when I discovered how writing a simple Python script could automate the process of creating flashcards for studying Japanese, saving me hours of repetitive copy-and-paste work.
I was born in New Zealand and moved to Kagoshima, Japan in 2024, where I now live with my wife and my 1-year-old son.
My Skills
I have experience solving problems in the following languages
-
JavaScript -
HTML -
CSS -
React -
TypeScript -
Tailwind -
Python -
Ruby -
NodeJS -
SQLite
Practice Projects
Below are some of the projects I've built so far
English Vocab Challenge
An interactive, multimedia web application designed to help Japanese students strengthen their English recognition and output skills. It features a modern, easy-to-use interface and offers extensive customization options.
React Hangman
A hand-drawn take on classic word game Hangman, built with React and rendered with RoughJS for a sketchy, whiteboard-style aesthetic. Utopia fluid design tokens allow for a responsive layout that adapts from mobile to desktop. Built with Vite for a fast, modern dev experience.
React Tic-Tac-Toe
A React-based Tic-Tac-Toe app supporting 2-3 players and adjustable board sizes from 3x3 to 5x5, with win conditions that scale accordingly. Features custom player names, score tracking, and a responsive layout that adapts seamlessly from mobile to desktop.
Countdown Timer
A minimalistic, modern countdown timer that employs various audio and visual effects to clearly convey the passage of time.
Todo App
A clean, responsive todo list app that allows users to create, edit, and organize tasks with optional due dates, featuring intuitive interactions and persistent local storage.
Stopwatch
An application that captures the essence of a digital stopwatch in appearance and functionality through code.
CSS Fireworks Display
An exploration of the possibilities of CSS to create dynamic animations and visual effects.
Other Code
Some of my other code repositories
CS50
My solutions to the problems from Harvard University's CS50: Introduction to Computer Science Course.
Python scripts for studying Japanese
Various Python scripts for extracting, formatting and organizing Japanese language data for study.
The Big Book of Small Python Projects
My own solutions to the 81 problems from the book "The Big Book of Small Python Projects" by Al Sweigart.