Lien Cheng
Frontend Developer
About
I'm a 4+ years self-taught frontend developer, proficient in React, Next.js, and React Native, with a specialization in UI/UX and performance enhancement. I've spent most of my life abroad in Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and Turkey, and was homeschooled for many years. This unique upbringing strengthened my ability to adapt to new environments quickly, cultivate self-learning skills, and maintain discipline.
Beyond coding, I'm an expert in making desserts, especially Western desserts like cream puffs and cakes, as well as Middle Eastern delicacies like baklava, kunafah, and rice pudding. I find a lot of similarities between baking and coding, both involve creating something that brings joy to others. That's why I put so much emphasis on smooth, enjoyable user experiences.
Skills and Tools
Languages
Gear
Here's the gear I use for coding and daily work. I believe that good tools can make a significant difference in productivity and enjoyment while coding.
Computer
MacBook Air M2
Primary development machine with Apple Silicon for excellent performance and battery life. Air for portability.
Keyboards
Keychron Q2
75% wired mechanical keyboard. Red switches. Custom modded for optimal typing experience.
Nuphy Halo 65
65% wireless mechanical keyboard. Red switches. Custom modded for enhanced feel and sound.
Experiences
Side Projects
ISLAMTAIWAN ． co-maintainer
https://islamtaiwan.comIntegrated Core App Functionality
- Developed and implemented fundamental features, including a Quran bookmarking system and a comprehensive Halal restaurant map covering the metro areas of Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
Pioneered AI-Driven Tools
- Developed an AI-powered Halal food ingredient scanner using Azure's cognitive services to help users, particularly foreign visitors, identify ingredients that may be haram or possibly haram in complex ingredient lists.
- Created an AI Muslim name generator using the Gemini API to offer a unique and helpful resource for users.
Enhanced User Experience (UX)
- Introduced subtle animations and UI improvements throughout the application to create a more intuitive, responsive, and visually appealing user interface.
Built Community-Focused Sections
- Engineered a new Online Courses section to provide educational content directly within the app.
- Developed a specialized Muslim-friendly Kids Section featuring mini-games and a curated video player. This feature includes data scraped from YouTube, advanced filtering by video length, and a secure player that prevents accidental redirection to external sites.
Spearheaded Internationalization (i18n)
- Implemented new language translations to expand the app's accessibility and reach for a diverse user base.
Platform Migration
- Upgraded Strapi from version 3 to 4, including backing up the database and writing customized scripts to migrate old data to the new database using Strapi's API.
Cost Optimization
- Switched from Google Maps API to React Leaflet, resulting in a significant reduction in API expenses.
Feature Development
- Developed new features such as a 'nearby gyms' function and more customized MDX components. These components allow editors to place existing website components directly inside markdown articles without needing engineering assistance.
Taiwan Driving License Practice App ． Solo Developer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.taiwan_license_practice.androidCore Content & Multilingual Support
- Parsed and integrated all official exam questions and answers from the Taiwan Highway Bureau in all supported languages.
- Implemented full UI support for multiple languages (i18n), ensuring the app is accessible to a wide range of users, including foreigners and minority groups.
UI/UX & Offline Functionality
- Developed a simple and intuitive user interface to provide a better practice experience than existing market options.
- Engineered the app to function fully offline, allowing users to practice anytime and anywhere without an internet connection.
- Designed and implemented multiple practice modes to cater to different learning styles.
App Publication & Project Management
- Managed the complex and demanding app publication process on Google Play, which included preparing assets like screenshots for various screen sizes and coordinating with external platforms to collect the required number of testers.
- Successfully outsourced the necessary testing process to meet Google Play's stringent solo developer publication requirements, ensuring a successful app launch.
Recent Posts
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From International Relations to Frontend Development: My Unexpected Career Switch
My background wasn't technical, yet I became a developer in four months. I detail the essential traits required for a rapid career transition, my self-taught learning strategy, and the jump to advanced tech like Next.js and React Native.
