An easy to use Sudoku program
When you solve a Sudoku, what do you use? Pen? Pencil? Eraser? A box full of crayons? A rule book?
You could also use Sudo Cue, a program that helps you solving these puzzles in a non-intrusive manner.
A variety of tools makes puzzling fun, searching easier. A focus tool to concentrate on that suspicious digit, a watch tool to highlight the candidates and spot a possible line-box interaction. Automatic hatching, or manually one-by-one. Use 14 colors to create complex multi-coloring schemes. Markup the candidates with dots or small numbers, whatever your preference. Or switch to ultracolor mode where you can individually color each candidate.
Puzzles can be loaded from files (even files with multiple puzzles), or pasted into the program from the clipboard. The clipboard import can handle any formatting you apply. You can also start with a blank grid and enter the clues manually.
The program has an interactive log, helping you along the way with useful tips and hints. It will also highlight the cells and patterns the solver has encountered. And yes, there is key to show the complete solution.
Switch freely between pen and pencil mode. Trial & Error can be done without fear. Erase pencil entries or confirm them to be replaced with the pen.
As for the solver .... what a solver! This is what it can handle:
- Naked & hidden singles
- Line-Box interactions (block-block, row/column-block)
- Naked and hidden subsets
- X-wing, swordfish, jellyfish and even bigger fish.
- Remote locked pairs
- XY-Wing
- Uniqueness test 1,2,3 and 4, as discussed on this forum.
- Coloring, multicoloring, with visual popup diagrams.
- Single value template checks
- Tabling (aggressive implication trees, fully expanded)
- Blunt Trial & Error
- Dancing links backtracker
- Multi template backtracker
All of these can be turned on or off in the options panel.
When you're stuck, copy the original puzzle, the currently filled cells or a full candidate grid to the clipboard and paste it on this forum, like this:
- Code: Select all
.---------------.---------------.---------------.
| 4 1 7 | 3 6 9 | 8 2 5 |
| 2689 3 2689| 1 5 48 | 679 49 467 |
| 689 5 689 | 7 2 48 | 369 1 346 |
:---------------+---------------+---------------:
| 8 2 5 | 4 3 7 | 1 6 9 |
| 367 9 1 | 5 8 26 | 4 35 237 |
| 3678 4 68 | 59 1 26 | 237 358 2378|
:---------------+---------------+---------------:
| 289 8 289 | 6 4 3 | 5 7 1 |
| 5 678 3 | 2 79 1 | 69 489 468 |
| 1 67 4 | 8 79 5 | 2369 39 236 |
'---------------'---------------'---------------'
An analysis window helps you to evaluate puzzles. It calculates candidate statistics and solving techniques required to solve the puzzle.
It is free for personal use. Download it here
The program requires Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1, enabling it to run on Windows NT (sp 6.4), 98, 2000, ME, and XP.
Comments are welcome, but if you're in need of support, use the e-mail address on the Sudo Cue website.
For a screenshot, check my website.
For update info, check here or visit the Sudoku Programmers Forum
Enjoy,
Ruud.
(edited for new URL)
