//about

I'm Nicolas Gresko (ab34), a 17-year-old software engineer based in Austria.

//coding journey

I discovered my passion for computers in the Spring of 2019, when I was 11 years old.

I started coding in C#, developing my first application: a homework/todo management system with a DB built on Microsoft Access, to keep track of school assignments during the COVID-19 lockdown.

At that time, I became fascinated by the mathematics behind cryptography and decided to create my own RSA encryption GUI (using C# with an XML-based UI).

In the Summer of 2020, I got into a specialized secondary school for IT and engineering (the HTL Spengergasse) and started learning Java.

At the same time, I also began learning C++ on my own, drawn to its use in low-level and high-performance applications. I got especially fascinated by game engines, for their complexity and low-level architecture, and graphics programming, as I had always wanted to understand how games render visuals at a low level.

In the Fall of 2024, I completed the initial development of my Custom 2D Game Engine, built in C++ using only low-level dependencies like Vulkan.

In the Spring of 2025, I developed a hardware-accelerated ray tracer using CUDA.

For more projects of mine, see: ->code()

//skills

//hobbies

• playing the piano

  I picked up the piano at the age of 10, teaching myself how to play without taking any lessons. There's something about the sound and simplicity of it that I simply adore. I love discovering new pieces, particularly those that strike me as beautiful or especially challenging.

• reading

  About 2 years ago, I started diving deeper into books, particularly classics. Something about the act of reading really resonates with me and I try to find time for it every day.

• cycling

  I enjoy cycling to push myself to my limits and stay fit. Aside from that I also drive my bike to school/work whenever I can.

• photography

  In the Spring of 2023, I got into photography and taking pictures with my mirrorless camera. I love capturing aesthetic moments through my lens, and am occasionally sharing my shots on Instagram.

• cooking

  I also enjoy cooking & baking for myself and trying out new recipes (especially if I don't burn them ^^).

Every now and then, I also enjoy getting sucked into a rabbit hole about a niche topic and learning everything there is to know along the way.