The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[QBasicMac]

I tend to post something like this:

Code: Select all

Puzzle/Solution so far:
146 5-8 -3-
etc.

Pencilmarks so far:
-         -         -         -         27        -         79        -         279
etc.


Where dashes in the pencilmarks mean the cell has been solved.

But I have seen others post some version of
146 5{27}8 {79}3{279}
etc.

That clearly is more succinct. But my question is this: Is there some standard? Or is it acceptable to post however you like. I like my way because it is easy to enter the puzzle and then check pencilmarks. But if it annoys or inconveniences anyone, I can adjust.

Mac

[simes]

My personal preference has become

Code: Select all

146 5{27}8 {79}3{279}

but only because the latest version of my solver (to be released soon) will accept a paste in that format, and correctly populate the pencil marks.

(It isn't fussy which brackets are used either round, square or curly)

Simon

[r.e.s.]

My personal preference has become

Code: Select all

146 5{27}8 {79}3{279}

I've never understood why people want to clutter the picture with unneeded brackets at the expense of helpful whitespace, making it less readable by humans.

Which is clearer? ...

Code: Select all

589    23569  1         23468  2468   7         456    58     468 
78     67     68        468    5      146       3      2      9   
58     4      23568     2368   9      1236      156    158    7   

6      29     289       7      124    12349     149    139    5   
459    1      7         23459  24     23459     8      6      34   
3      59     59        4569   146    8         1479   179    2   

2      5679   569       5689   3      569       15679  4      168 
1      8      4         2569   7      2569      569    359    36   
579    35679  3569      1      468    4569      2      35789  368 

or

Code: Select all

{589}{23569}1     {23468}{2468}7        {456}{58}{468} 
{78}{67}{68}      {468}5{146}           329 
{58}4{23568}      {2368}9{1236}         {156}{158}7   

6{29}{289}        7{124}{12349}         {149}{139}5   
{459}17           {23459}{24}{23459}    86{34}   
3{59}{59}         {4569}{146}8          {1479}{179}2   

2{5679}{569}      {5689}3{569}          {15679}4{168} 
184               {2569}7{2569}         {569}{359}{36} 
579{35679}{3569}  1{468}{4569}          2{35789}{368}

(BTW, I notice Sudoku Susser will read the first form but not the last.)

[Shazbot]

Dubbing anything into Pappocom Sudoku is slow because it's manual, but I prefer to read from something like this:

Code: Select all

146 5-8 -3-

so I can see clearly what numbers I need to enter. Simple Sudoku also reads that format.

When looking at a full grid of candidates I definitely prefer

Code: Select all

589    23569  1         23468  2468   7         456    58     468 
78     67     68        468    5      146       3      2      9   
58     4      23568     2368   9      1236      156    158    7   

6      29     289       7      124    12349     149    139    5   
459    1      7         23459  24     23459     8      6      34   
3      59     59        4569   146    8         1479   179    2   

2      5679   569       5689   3      569       15679  4      168 
1      8      4         2569   7      2569      569    359    36   
579    35679  3569      1      468    4569      2      35789  368 

because you don't have to work too hard to line up columns.

But when someone posts a question regarding a single row in a grid ("how do you go from this to this") I don't mind seeing the brackets as you're only interpreting one row, not the whole grid.

I use the first two formats when asking for assistance, but when responding to a call for help will normally use whatever notation the original poster has used, unless it's too confusing. When in Rome....