Creates or generates a new grid. A dialog let you specify the grid size, variant and options.
The settings are stored in the preferences from one run to the other. At startup, JSudoku will generate a new grid using the latest settings specified unless you turn off the option Generate Grid at Start in the Preferences dialog.
The dialog shows a list of settings.
When a setting is selected, like blocks here over, a blue arrow icon becomes visible. Click on the icon to reset the setting to its default value.
The message below the list gives information for most settings. You may hide or show the information message by clicking on the info icon at the lower-left of the dialog.
Specify the Grid size:
When using rectangular blocks, the two fields let you specify the rectangular or square block size. The default is 3x3 for a sudoku with square blocks and 9 values. The maximum is 5x5 (25). The minimum is 2x2 (4). For non square sizes, the first field is the number of horizontal blocks. For example, a 2x3 grid is divided in two horizontally and three vertically. It has 6 values and 36 cells. A 3x2 grid also has 6 values, but the blocks are tall instead of wide.
When using jigsaw or no blocks, only one field is shown.
Other sizes may then be entered. When specifying prime sizes like 7 or 11, the blocks cannot be rectangular.
The Values contains by default the list from 1 to the grid size. Select the check box to enter custom values with other numbers. Zero and negative numbers are allowed. Numbers may also be repeated, but there are some limitations and some grids with repeated numbers may not solve or the recursive solver may report multiple solutions. To input a range of consecutives numbers, separate the numbers by a minus and spaces. To input non-consecutives numbers, separate them by spaces, commas, semi-colons or dots. To input a negative number, place the minus right before the number.
You may specify to display values >= 10 as decimal numbers, upper or lower case letters. The default is upper case letters since it matches the keyboard accelerators. Numbers <= 9 are always displayed using digits.
Specify the Clues variant:
Given cells for a vanilla sudoku or other variant with given numbers.
Killer for a Killer sudoku with sum cages.
Twin Killer for a Killer sudoku with two overlapping layers of sum cages.
Greater/Less Than for a Sudoku with greater/less than relations between adjacent cells. Not a greater/less than killer.
Specify the Overlapping variant alias Gattai:
Single Grid for a simple square grid.
Sensei, DoubleDoku, Gattai-3, Sohei, Butterfly, Flower, Samurai, Wing, Kazaguruma (Windmill) for overlapping square grids. See Sudopedia for their layout.
Clueless Special and Explosion for 9 adjacent square grids and another disjoined grid overlapping all of them. See Sudopedia for Clueless Special and SudoCue for Clueless Explosion.
The variants indicate the number of sub-grids in parenthesis.
Specify the Blocks alias boxes, nonets:
Rectangular for a grid with rectangular or square blocks.
Jigsaw for a grid with jigsaw blocks. Used only when generating a jigsaw grid. To enter custom jigsaw pieces by hand, use Design: Blocks: New Jigsaw block.
None for a latin square alias QWH, a grid without blocks, where only rows and columns must include each digit once.
You may specify Diagonals:
2 Main Diagonals for a sudoku-X where each of the two main diagonals must include each digit once.
Other exotic diagonal variants named after Brainfreeze: Bold-X, Large-X, Snowflake and Argyle.
You may specify Extra Groups which must include each digit once:
Disjoint Groups for a grid with groups based on the blocks, whether rectangular or jigsaw. The first group includes the top-left cell of all blocks. The second group includes the second cell of all blocks... The last group includes the bottom-right cell of all blocks.
Warp down or up for special diagonals that warps around the border of the grid. All diagonals include all digits once. To use partial diagonals, use Design: Diagonals: New Extra Diagonal.
Jigsaw for a grid with jigsaw extra groups. Used only when generating a jigsaw grid. Useful for a grid with both rectangular and jigsaw "houses".
The window displays the extra groups with a colored background.
Select the Windoku check box for a grid with windoku groups alias Hypersudoku, NRC-Sudoku, Four-square. Requires a grid of square size: 2x2 (4), 3x3 (9) or 5x5 (25)
The window displays the square windoku groups with a transparent blue tint. The other disjoined groups are defined but hidden.
You may specify Anti Chess for a grid where cells at a chess move must hold different numbers. The "wildlife" moves are named after fairy chess pieces. The numbers in parenthesis gives the move distance.
You may specify Non Consecutive:
All non consecutives for a grid where each adjacent cell must hold non consecutive numbers
Both consecutives & non for a grid mixing consecutive and non consecutive numbers. The window displays a thick line between consecutive adjacent cells.
The "wildlife" non consecutives are named after fairy chess pieces. Note: pairs of non-consecutive cells may possibly hold the same number.
Select the Bossdoku check box for a grid with (non)-bossanova constraints. A bossanova cell should hold a number equals to the sum of the absolute differences with all its adjacent cells. It is displayed with a light gray background. A non-bossanova is the reverse, it cannot hold a bossanova number.
You may specify a Domain:
Even-Odd eg {13579}, {2468}
Low-High eg {12345}, {6789}
3 cyclic eg {147}, {258}, {369}
Low-Mid-High eg {123}, {456}, {789}
Most options and variants may also be changed later using the Design menu. Useful for variants which are not listed here.
Click on Generate to generate a new grid with the current options and settings.
Click on Design to create a new empty grid of specified variant. You should then enter the givens, change the Greater/less than or (non)-consecutive relations, and/or use the Design menu to create killer cages, jigsaw pieces...
Warning: The previous grid will be lost. JSudoku won't ask to save it. This action cannot be undone.
Generates a new grid using the variant and settings specified in New Grid and Preferences. First it generates jigsaw template(s) for blocks and/or extra groups if so specified. Then it generates killer template(s) if so specified. Finally it generates a grid using these templates. For vanilla sudoku, this is equivalent to "Generate Grid" since it does not use jigsaw nor killer templates.
Generates a new grid using the current jigsaw and/or killer cage templates, if any. First, it fills in a valid grid randomly and then verify the unique solution. For most variants it chooses some givens, removing any givens not needed to get a unique solution. It will choose some symmetry at random among those enabled in the Preferences dialog.
The generator takes into consideration almost every constraint defined: diagonals, extra diagonals, extra groups, jigsaw blocks, windoku, non-consecutive, anti-chess, renban...
For grids with givens, it fills in a valid grid at random, starting with all cells as givens. Then, it minimizes the givens by removing each given which is not required to get a unique solution; unless this yields a grid with too many guesses, too few givens or requiring too hard a technique. Finally, it checks the number givens and guesses are within the ranges specified in the Preferences dialog. If any is out of range, it discards the grid and generates another one, retrying at most 1000 times.
The generator uses the recursive solver to check for unique solution. It will filter grids using logicals solvers / techniques if so specified in Preferences dialog.
For Killer Sudoku, it uses the current cage template, ensuring no number is repeated in a cage. It then updates the cage sums, resets the grid and verifies the unique solution. In case there are several solutions, it will restart filling with other numbers and verify again. If it takes too long for a grid to verify, it will stop verifying and restart with other numbers. It will restart at most 100 times. If the unique solution has been verified, it will report so in the log and show the grid with empty cages. If no grid with a unique solution was found after 100 attempts, it will then show the solved grid and print a warning in the log.
For Greater / Less Than Sudoku, it does not choose the givens, but updates the greater / less than relations. It then checks for unique solution.
For combined Consecutive & Non-Consecutive, it updates the relation between the cells. But when all the cells are Non-Consecutive, it constraints the generator to produce only non-consecutive grids.
The number of guesses reported may give an idea of the difficulty. If it reports 0 guesses then, for sure, the grid can be solved using only naked & hidden singles. If it reports several guesses, it will require some other technique. But the number of guesses does not necessarilly relate to the difficulty. A grid with one guess could be a real though one, whereas one with 10 guesses could well be solved using only "simple" techniques like locked candidates, naked & hidden subsets...
Creates a new cage. This can be used:
A dialog let you specify the layer, operator, and value of the cage: sum, product...
Specify the Layer:
Killer: creates a main cage displayed with dashed frame and the sum at its top-left. This cage is part of the definition, it is saved or copied.
Twin killer: creates a cage displayed with a thin green frame, a transparent green background and the sum at its top-center. This cage is not part of the definition, it isn't copied nor saved when choosing a text format.
Square Wisdom: creates a kenken cage displayed with plain frame and the operation at its top-left. This cage is part of the definition, it is saved or copied.
Split cages: creates a cage displayed with a transparent colored background and the sum at its top-center. This cage is not part of the definition, it isn't saved nor copied. Resetting the grid will remove all split cages.
Specify the Operator:
Add: all cells should add up to the given sum.
Subtract: the absolute difference of the two cells should equal the given difference. This is available only for cages with 2 cells.
Multiply: the product of all cells should equal the given product.
Divide: the division of the two cells should equal the given integer quotient. Rationals like 2/3 are not permitted, the remainder is zero. In other words: the given quotient times a cell equals the other cell. This is available only for cages with 2 cells.
Ratio: the division of the two cells should equal the given ratio. The ratio is <= 1, input 2/3 instead of 3/2. This is available only for cages with 2 cells.
Given cell: the single cell equals the given number. This is available only for cages with 1 cell.
None: a cage without any given sum, product... It just constrains the cells to hold different numbers, not to have repeated values. Like in some Miyuki Misawa Inequality Killer Sudokus
Specify the Sum, Difference, Product, Quotient or Ratio. The range is restricted depending the operator, number of cells and values for the grid. You may also use the mouse wheel to increase or decrease the sum. This is not applicable for the operator 'None'.
Specify the Repeat:
Cannot repeat: no cell may have duplicates, all numbers in the cage must be different. This should be used for Killer, but not for Square Wisdom, unless all cells are buddies.
May repeat: some cells may possibly have duplicates (eg for diagonal cells crossing nonets). This should be used for Square Wisdom, unless all cells are buddies. It should not be used for Killer, since it would violate the rule stating that numbers may not be repeated within a cage.
Must repeat: not yet available. One day... maybe.
The Formula is informational.
When the grid is solved, it creates a sum cage with the selected cells without bringing the cage dialog. Useful to design a killer from a solved grid.
Constraints the selected nonet or block to form a Magic Square, that is a square where each mini row, column and diagonal add up to the same sum (15 for 3x3 Sudoku). It creates split cages over each mini row, column and diagonal (8 split cages for 3x3 Sudoku). This works only for a Sudoku of square block size larger than 2: 3x3 and 4x4.
A Semi Magic Square does only constraint the mini rows and columns but not the mini diagonals.
Constraints the selected row or nonet to form a Pandigital sum or difference. The 3 mini rows of 3 cells each forms a number with 3 digits. The sum (or difference) of the first two should equal the third. It creates one big complex cage of 9 cells with the appropriate formula. This works only for a 3x3 Sudoku.
Constraints the selected cells & focused cell to form an arrow sum. The focused cell correspond to the circled cell. The selected cells correspond to the cells traversed by the arrow. It creates one complex cage with the appropriate formula: selected cells - focused cell = 0
Generates a killer cage template. It does not generate a valid grid, just the layout of the cages. You should then choose Design: Generate Grid to generate a grid. It will choose some symmetry at random among those enabled in the Preferences dialog.
To generate a zero killer, first select the zero cells, which should be "uncaged" before generating the cages.
Note: The various cage shapes known as polyominoes are costly to compute and are saved in a file next to the the JSudoku application.
Removes all cages from the Main, Twin or Split layer respectively.
Removes all cages without a sum. Useful to cleanup zero killers published by djape.net
Like Killer: New Cage, but selects the Square Wisdom layer by default and selects Values: May repeat if possible.
When the grid is solved, it creates a cage with the selected cells and corresponding formula without bringing the cage dialog. Useful to design a Square Wisdom from a solved grid.
Removes all cages from the Square Wisdom layer.
May be used to turn a Latin Square or Jigsaw into a vanilla Sudoku and vice-versa.
Generates jigsaw blocks. It does not generate a valid grid, just the layout of the jigsaw blocks. You should then choose Design: Generate Grid to generate a grid. It will choose some symmetry at random among those enabled in the Preferences dialog. The grid size is limited to 10. It resets to an empty unsolved grid, removing any givens and solved cell.
Add a jigsaw block over the selected cells. First select the cells forming the jigsaw block, then choose the menu item. Repeat for all other Jigsaw blocks. If you made a mistake entering the jigsaw blocks, you may remove the wrong block(s) using the cell contextual popup menu while holding down the alt or control key.
Removes all blocks, turns the grid into a Latin Square.
Add the 2 main diagonals if not already present, else removes them. The diagonals lines are displayed in light gray.
These are special diagonal variants named after Brainfreeze.
Add an extra diagonal over the selected cells. This can be a partial diagonal with fewer cells. First select the cells forming the diagonal, then choose the menu item. The diagonals lines are displayed in light gray. If you made a mistake entering the diagonals, you may remove the wrong diagonal(s) using the cell contextual popup menu while holding down the alt or control key.
Removes all diagonals.
Add all disjoint groups based on the blocks / nonets / jigsaw. The first group contains the upper left most cell of each block. The second group contains the second cell of each block ... The last group contains the lower right most cell of each block. For grids without blocks (latin square), it creates disjoint groups as if there were rectangular blocks of default size. This is not available for grids which size is a prime number: 5, 7, 11... The disjoint groups are displayed with a colored background. Note: Combining jigsaw blocks and disjoint groups barely gives a valid grid.
Add all special diagonals that warps around the border of the grid. All diagonals include all digits once. To use partial diagonals, use Design: Diagonals: New Extra Diagonal. The groups are displayed with a colored background.
Add one extra group with the center dot, asterisk or girandola layout. This is available only for 3x3 sudoku.
Generates jigsaw extra groups. You may mix rectangular blocks with jigsaw groups. To use regular jigsaw blocks, select the jigsaw item from the Blocks sub-menu.
Add an extra / disjoined group over the selected cells. First select the cells forming the extra group, then choose the menu item. Repeat for all other extra groups. The extra groups are displayed with a colored background.
Removes all extra groups.
Adds or removes all Windoku groups based on the square grid size. This is also known as NRC or HyperDoku. It creates all 9 windoku groups for 3x3 sudoku. This includes not only the 4 given windows, but also the 5 hidden groups which could be deduced with Law of Leftovers. The given square Windoku groups are displayed with a transparent blue background. This is available only for a square grid size: 2x2 (4), 3x3 (9), and 4x4 (16).
Add constraints stating that all cells at a chess move / jump must hold different numbers. For anti king, these are all diagonally adjacent cells. For anti knight, these are all cells at a distance of 2 by 1. The other jumps are known as Fairy Chess pieces. Their moves is indicated next to their name. Note: ostrich is a funny name I gave to a move 1 by 5 for which I didn't found any existing name.
Let you mix different domains for the same grid. For instance a grid with both Even/Odd and Low/High. This does not alter the grid, just the list of available domains.
Constraints the selected cells to the candidates in the domain.
When the grid is unsolved, add constraints stating that all adjacent cells must hold non-consecutive numbers. There is no visual adornment for non-consecutive.
When the grid is solved, the constraints are combined, either consecutive or non-consecutive depending the value of the adjacent cells. Useful to generate (non)-consecutive grids. The consecutive cells are separated by a thick black line.
When the grid is unsolved, add less than constraints for all adjacent cells within a block / nonet / jigsaw. The grid is not valid, you should then choose Design: Generate Grid to generate a grid. To enter an existing grid, switch to design working mode and edit the greater / less than relations using the keys '<', '>', 'V' (letter V) or '^' (circumflex).
When the grid is solved, the relation is based on the current values: either less or greater than. The grid is consistent but, when reset, it does not necesserally defines a unique solution.
For a latin square (no blocks), all adjactent cells will have greater / less than relations. Also useful for Futoshiki.
Add (non)-bossanova constraints over all cells. A bossanova cell should hold a number equal to the sum of the gaps between it and its adjacent cells. A gap is the absolute difference between the numbers. Corner cells have only two adjacent cells, whereas central cells have four adjacent cells. A non-bossanova is the reverse, the bossanova formula cannot hold true. A bossanova cell is displayed with a light gray background. There is no visual adornment for non-bossanova.
Add a renban group over the selected cells. This group constraint the cells to include a set of consecutive numbers, whichever their order. First select the cells forming the renban group, then choose the menu item. Repeat for all other renban groups. The renban groups are framed with a solid thick black line.
Let you alter the digits of a solved grid by exchanging the two values in the whole grid. Select two cells with differents values then choose this item.
For Killer Sudoku, the sums of the cages are updated. Usually, a Killer Sudoku with a unique solution may have digits exchanged while still having a unique solution. This may be useful to turn an easy killer into a harder one, avoiding for instance cages with a unique combination. Or to turn an insane killer into an easier one. Warning: in some cases, this may give a grid with several solutions. So always check for unique solution.
For Square Wisdom it updates the sum, difference, product or quotient of the cages. For division, it may report a conflict since the quotient is limited to integers.
For Greater / Less Than, (non) Consecutive, Bossdoku, Ratio cages... it updates the relations between the cells.
Select first a square of 3x3 cells. It will then remap/exchange all the digits such as the square of 3x3 cells forms a magic square. This does not generate the corresonding split cages, but just remap all digits of the solved grid. See also comments for Swap two Values.
Does shuffle all the digits of a solved grid, by exchanging them at random. See also comments for Swap two Values.
Does complement all the digits of a solved grid by reversing them: 1 becomes 9, 2 becomes 8 ... 9 becomes 1. See also comments for Swap two Values.
Note: a killer with a unique solution will also have a unique solution for complementary values. Indeed, they are logically equivalent; JSudoku should follow the same solve path. The two solve logs should be equivalent with just complementary values and cages sums. This holds true also for Greater / Less than and (non)-consecutive. But for Square Wisdom it may report a conflict since the quotient is limited to integers: 2/ = {12} becomes {65} which does not work.
Select first two rows or two columns of a solved grid. It will swap them by exchanging their values.
Reflects or turns the grid.
File | Edit | Solve | Highlight | Design | Options | Window | Help | Cell contextual popup menu | Solver contextual popup menu
Copyright (C) 2006-2008 Jean-Christophe Godart. All rights reserved.