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  • Maze not being random.

    - by Matt Habel
    Hey there, I am building a program that generates a maze so I can later translate the path to my graphical part. I have most of it working, however, every time you can just take the east and south routes, and you'll get to the end. Even if I set the width as high as 64, so the maze is 64*64, I'm able to choose those 2 options and get to the end every time. I really don't understand why it is doing that. The code is below, it's fairly easy to understand. import random width = 8 def check(x,y): """Figures out the directions that Gen can move while""" if x-1 == -1: maze[x][y][3] = 0 if x+1 == width + 1: maze[x][y][1] = 0 if y+1 == width + 1: maze[x][y][2] = 0 if y-1 == -1: maze[x][y][0] = 0 if x + 1 in range(0,width) and visited[x+1][y] == False: maze[x][y][1] = 2 if x - 1 in range(0,width) and visited[x-1][y] == False: maze[x][y][3] = 2 if y + 1 in range(0,width) and visited[x][y+1] == False: maze[x][y][2] = 2 if y - 1 in range(0,width) and visited[x][y-1] == False: maze[x][y][0] = 2 def possibleDirs(x,y): """Figures out the ways that the person can move in each square""" dirs = [] walls = maze[x][y] if walls[0] == 1: dirs.append('n') if walls[1] == 1: dirs.append('e') if walls[2] == 1: dirs.append('s') if walls[3] == 1: dirs.append('w') return dirs def Gen(x,y): """Generates the maze using a depth-first search and recursive backtracking.""" visited[x][y] = True dirs = [] check(x,y) if maze[x][y][0] == 2: dirs.append(0) if maze[x][y][1] == 2: dirs.append(1) if maze[x][y][2] == 2: dirs.append(2) if maze[x][y][3] == 2: dirs.append(3) print dirs if len(dirs): #Randonly selects a derection for the current square to move past.append(current[:]) pos = random.choice(dirs) maze[x][y][pos] = 1 if pos == 0: current[1] -= 1 maze[x][y-1][2] = 1 if pos == 1: current[0] += 1 maze[x+1][y][3] = 1 if pos == 2: current[1] += 1 maze[x][y+1][0] = 1 if pos == 3: current[0] -= 1 maze[x-1][y][1] = 1 else: #If there's nowhere to go, go back one square lastPlace = past.pop() current[0] = lastPlace[0] current[1] = lastPlace[1] #Build the initial values for the maze to be replaced later maze = [] visited = [] past = [] #Generate empty 2d list with a value for each of the xy coordinates for i in range(0,width): maze.append([]) for q in range(0, width): maze[i].append([]) for n in range(0, 4): maze[i][q].append(4) #Makes a list of falses for all the non visited places for x in range(0, width): visited.append([]) for y in range(0, width): visited[x].append(False) dirs = [] print dirs current = [0,0] #Generates the maze so every single square has been filled. I'm not sure how this works, as it is possible to only go south and east to get to the final position. while current != [width-1, width-1]: Gen(current[0], current[1]) #Getting the ways the person can move in each square for i in range(0,width): dirs.append([]) for n in range(0,width): dirs[i].append([]) dirs[i][n] = possibleDirs(i,n) print dirs print visited pos = [0,0] #The user input part of the maze while pos != [width - 1, width - 1]: dirs = [] print pos if maze[pos[0]][pos[1]][0] == 1: dirs.append('n') if maze[pos[0]][pos[1]][1] == 1: dirs.append('e') if maze[pos[0]][pos[1]][2] == 1: dirs.append('s') if maze[pos[0]][pos[1]][3] == 1: dirs.append('w') print dirs path = raw_input("What direction do you want to go: ") if path not in dirs: print "You can't go that way!" continue elif path.lower() == 'n': pos[1] -= 1 elif path.lower() == 'e': pos[0] += 1 elif path.lower() == 's': pos[1] += 1 elif path.lower() == 'w': pos[0] -= 1 print"Good job!" As you can see, I think the problem is at the point where I generate the maze, however, when I just have it go until the current point is at the end, it doesn't fill every maze and is usually just one straight path. Thanks for helping. Update: I have changed the for loop that generates the maze to a simple while loop and it seems to work much better. It seems that when the for loop ran, it didn't go recursively, however, in the while loop it's perfectly fine. However, now all the squares do not fill out.

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  • Non-perfect maze generation algorithm

    - by Shylux
    I want to generate a maze with the following properties: The maze is non-perfect. Means it has loops and multiple ways to reach the exit. The maze should be random. The algorithm should output different mazes for different input parameters The maze doesn't have to be braided. Means dead-ends are allowed and appreciated. I just can't find the right resources on google. The closest i found was this description of the different types of algorithms: http://www.astrolog.org/labyrnth/algrithm.htm. All other algorithms were for perfect mazes. Can anyone give me a website where i can look this up or maybe an algorithm directly?

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  • Need some help on how to replay the last game of a java maze game

    - by Marty
    Hello, I am working on creating a Java maze game for a project. The maze is displayed on the console as standard output not in an applet. I have created most of hte code I need, however I am stuck at one problem and that is I need a user to be able to replay the last game i.e redraw the maze with the users moves but without any input from the user. I am not sure on what course of action to take, i was thinking about copying each users move or the position of each move into another array, as you can see i have 2 variables which hold the position of the player, plyrX and plyrY do you think copying these values into a new array after each move would solve my problem and how would i go about this? I have updated my code, apologies about the textIO.java class not being present, not sure how to resolve that exept post a link to TextIO.java [TextIO.java][1] My code below is updated with a new array of type char to hold values from the original maze (read in from text file and displayed using unicode characters) and also to new variables c_plyrX and c_plyrY which I am thinking should hold the values of plyrX and plyrY and copy them into the new array. When I try to call the replayGame(); method from the menu the maze loads for a second then the console exits so im not sure what I am doing wrong Thanks public class MazeGame { //unicode characters that will define the maze walls, //pathways, and in game characters. final static char WALL = '\u2588'; //wall final static char PATH = '\u2591'; //pathway final static char PLAYER = '\u25EF'; //player final static char ENTRANCE = 'E'; //entrance final static char EXIT = '\u2716'; //exit //declaring member variables which will hold the maze co-ordinates //X = rows, Y = columns static int entX = 0; //entrance X co-ordinate static int entY = 1; //entrance y co-ordinate static int plyrX = 0; static int plyrY = 1; static int exitX = 24; //exit X co-ordinate static int exitY = 37; //exit Y co-ordinate //static member variables which hold maze values //used so values can be accessed from different methods static int rows; //rows variable static int cols; //columns variable static char[][] maze; //defines 2 dimensional array to hold the maze //variables that hold player movement values static char dir; //direction static int spaces; //amount of spaces user can travel //variable to hold amount of moves the user has taken; static int movesTaken = 0; //new array to hold player moves for replaying game static char[][] mazeCopy; static int c_plyrX; static int c_plyrY; /** userMenu method for displaying the user menu which will provide various options for * the user to choose such as play a maze game, get instructions, etc. */ public static void userMenu(){ TextIO.putln("Maze Game"); TextIO.putln("*********"); TextIO.putln("Choose an option."); TextIO.putln(""); TextIO.putln("1. Play the Maze Game."); TextIO.putln("2. View Instructions."); TextIO.putln("3. Replay the last game."); TextIO.putln("4. Exit the Maze Game."); TextIO.putln(""); int option; //variable for holding users option TextIO.put("Type your choice: "); option = TextIO.getlnInt(); //gets users option //switch statement for processing menu options switch(option){ case 1: playMazeGame(); case 2: instructions(); case 3: if (c_plyrX == plyrX && c_plyrY == plyrY)replayGame(); else { TextIO.putln("Option not available yet, you need to play a game first."); TextIO.putln(); userMenu(); } case 4: System.exit(0); //exits the user out of the console default: TextIO.put("Option must be 1, 2, 3 or 4"); } } //end of userMenu /**main method, will call the userMenu and get the users choice and call * the relevant method to execute the users choice. */ public static void main(String[]args){ userMenu(); //calls the userMenu method } //end of main method /**instructions method, displays instructions on how to play * the game to the user/ */ public static void instructions(){ TextIO.putln("To beat the Maze Game you have to move your character"); TextIO.putln("through the maze and reach the exit in as few moves as possible."); TextIO.putln(""); TextIO.putln("Your characer is displayed as a " + PLAYER); TextIO.putln("The maze exit is displayed as a " + EXIT); TextIO.putln("Reach the exit and you have won escaped the maze."); TextIO.putln("To control your character type the direction you want to go"); TextIO.putln("and how many spaces you want to move"); TextIO.putln("for example 'D3' will move your character"); TextIO.putln("down 3 spaces."); TextIO.putln("Remember you can't walk through walls!"); boolean insOption; //boolean variable TextIO.putln(""); TextIO.put("Do you want to play the Maze Game now? (Y or N) "); insOption = TextIO.getlnBoolean(); if (insOption == true)playMazeGame(); else userMenu(); } //end of instructions method /**playMazeGame method, calls the loadMaze method and the charMove method * to start playing the Maze Game. */ public static void playMazeGame(){ loadMaze(); plyrMoves(); } //end of playMazeGame method /**loadMaze method, loads the 39x25 maze from the MazeGame.txt text file * and inserts values from the text file into the maze array and * displays the maze on screen using the unicode block characters. * plyrX and plyrY variables are set at their staring co ordinates so that when * a game is completed and the user selects to play a new game * the player character will always be at position 01. */ public static void loadMaze(){ plyrX = 0; plyrY = 1; TextIO.readFile("MazeGame.txt"); //now reads from the external MazeGame.txt file rows = TextIO.getInt(); //gets the number of rows from text file to create X dimensions cols = TextIO.getlnInt(); //gets number of columns from text file to create Y dimensions maze = new char[rows][cols]; //creates maze array of base type char with specified dimnensions //loop to process the array and read in values from the text file. for (int i = 0; i<rows; i++){ for (int j = 0; j<cols; j++){ maze[i][j] = TextIO.getChar(); } TextIO.getln(); } //end for loop TextIO.readStandardInput(); //closes MazeGame.txt file and reads from //standard input. //loop to process the array values and display as unicode characters for (int i = 0; i<rows; i++){ for (int j = 0; j<cols; j++){ if (i == plyrX && j == plyrY){ plyrX = i; plyrY = j; TextIO.put(PLAYER); //puts the player character at player co-ords } else{ if (maze[i][j] == '0') TextIO.putf("%c",WALL); //puts wall block if (maze[i][j] == '1') TextIO.putf("%c",PATH); //puts path block if (maze[i][j] == '2') { entX = i; entY = j; TextIO.putf("%c",ENTRANCE); //puts entrance character } if (maze[i][j] == '3') { exitX = i; //holds value of exit exitY = j; //co-ordinates TextIO.putf("%c",EXIT); //puts exit character } } } TextIO.putln(); } //end for loop } //end of loadMaze method /**redrawMaze method, method for redrawing the maze after each move. * */ public static void redrawMaze(){ TextIO.readFile("MazeGame.txt"); //now reads from the external MazeGame.txt file rows = TextIO.getInt(); //gets the number of rows from text file to create X dimensions cols = TextIO.getlnInt(); //gets number of columns from text file to create Y dimensions maze = new char[rows][cols]; //creates maze array of base type char with specified dimnensions //loop to process the array and read in values from the text file. for (int i = 0; i<rows; i++){ for (int j = 0; j<cols; j++){ maze[i][j] = TextIO.getChar(); } TextIO.getln(); } //end for loop TextIO.readStandardInput(); //closes MazeGame.txt file and reads from //standard input. //loop to process the array values and display as unicode characters for (int i = 0; i<rows; i++){ for (int j = 0; j<cols; j++){ if (i == plyrX && j == plyrY){ plyrX = i; plyrY = j; TextIO.put(PLAYER); //puts the player character at player co-ords } else{ if (maze[i][j] == '0') TextIO.putf("%c",WALL); //puts wall block if (maze[i][j] == '1') TextIO.putf("%c",PATH); //puts path block if (maze[i][j] == '2') { entX = i; entY = j; TextIO.putf("%c",ENTRANCE); //puts entrance character } if (maze[i][j] == '3') { exitX = i; //holds value of exit exitY = j; //co-ordinates TextIO.putf("%c",EXIT); //puts exit character } } } TextIO.putln(); } //end for loop } //end redrawMaze method /**replay game method * */ public static void replayGame(){ c_plyrX = plyrX; c_plyrY = plyrY; TextIO.readFile("MazeGame.txt"); //now reads from the external MazeGame.txt file rows = TextIO.getInt(); //gets the number of rows from text file to create X dimensions cols = TextIO.getlnInt(); //gets number of columns from text file to create Y dimensions mazeCopy = new char[rows][cols]; //creates maze array of base type char with specified dimnensions //loop to process the array and read in values from the text file. for (int i = 0; i<rows; i++){ for (int j = 0; j<cols; j++){ mazeCopy[i][j] = TextIO.getChar(); } TextIO.getln(); } //end for loop TextIO.readStandardInput(); //closes MazeGame.txt file and reads from //standard input. //loop to process the array values and display as unicode characters for (int i = 0; i<rows; i++){ for (int j = 0; j<cols; j++){ if (i == c_plyrX && j == c_plyrY){ c_plyrX = i; c_plyrY = j; TextIO.put(PLAYER); //puts the player character at player co-ords } else{ if (mazeCopy[i][j] == '0') TextIO.putf("%c",WALL); //puts wall block if (mazeCopy[i][j] == '1') TextIO.putf("%c",PATH); //puts path block if (mazeCopy[i][j] == '2') { entX = i; entY = j; TextIO.putf("%c",ENTRANCE); //puts entrance character } if (mazeCopy[i][j] == '3') { exitX = i; //holds value of exit exitY = j; //co-ordinates TextIO.putf("%c",EXIT); //puts exit character } } } TextIO.putln(); } //end for loop } //end replayGame method /**plyrMoves method, method for moving the players character * around the maze. */ public static void plyrMoves(){ int nplyrX = plyrX; int nplyrY = plyrY; int pMoves; direction(); //UP if (dir == 'U' || dir == 'u'){ nplyrX = plyrX; nplyrY = plyrY; for(pMoves = 0; pMoves <= spaces; pMoves++){ if (maze[nplyrX][nplyrY] == '0'){ TextIO.putln("Invalid move, try again."); } else if (pMoves != spaces){ nplyrX =plyrX + 1; } else { plyrX = plyrX-spaces; c_plyrX = plyrX; movesTaken++; } } }//end UP if //DOWN if (dir == 'D' || dir == 'd'){ nplyrX = plyrX; nplyrY = plyrY; for (pMoves = 0; pMoves <= spaces; pMoves ++){ if (maze[nplyrX][nplyrY] == '0'){ TextIO.putln("Invalid move, try again"); } else if (pMoves != spaces){ nplyrX = plyrX+1; } else{ plyrX = plyrX+spaces; c_plyrX = plyrX; movesTaken++; } } } //end DOWN if //LEFT if (dir == 'L' || dir =='l'){ nplyrX = plyrX; nplyrY = plyrY; for (pMoves = 0; pMoves <= spaces; pMoves++){ if (maze[nplyrX][nplyrY] == '0'){ TextIO.putln("Invalid move, try again"); } else if (pMoves != spaces){ nplyrY = plyrY + 1; } else{ plyrY = plyrY-spaces; c_plyrY = plyrY; movesTaken++; } } } //end LEFT if //RIGHT if (dir == 'R' || dir == 'r'){ nplyrX = plyrX; nplyrY = plyrY; for (pMoves = 0; pMoves <= spaces; pMoves++){ if (maze[nplyrX][nplyrY] == '0'){ TextIO.putln("Invalid move, try again."); } else if (pMoves != spaces){ nplyrY += 1; } else{ plyrY = plyrY+spaces; c_plyrY = plyrY; movesTaken++; } } } //end RIGHT if //prints message if player escapes from the maze. if (maze[plyrX][plyrY] == '3'){ TextIO.putln("****Congratulations****"); TextIO.putln(); TextIO.putln("You have escaped from the maze."); TextIO.putln(); userMenu(); } else{ movesTaken++; redrawMaze(); plyrMoves(); } } //end of plyrMoves method /**direction, method * */ public static char direction(){ TextIO.putln("Enter the direction you wish to move in and the distance"); TextIO.putln("i.e D3 = move down 3 spaces"); TextIO.putln("U - Up, D - Down, L - Left, R - Right: "); dir = TextIO.getChar(); if (dir =='U' || dir == 'D' || dir == 'L' || dir == 'R' || dir == 'u' || dir == 'd' || dir == 'l' || dir == 'r'){ spacesMoved(); } else{ loadMaze(); TextIO.putln("Invalid direction!"); TextIO.put("Direction must be one of U, D, L or R"); direction(); } return dir; //returns the value of dir (direction) } //end direction method /**spaces method, gets the amount of spaces the user wants to move * */ public static int spacesMoved(){ TextIO.putln(" "); spaces = TextIO.getlnInt(); if (spaces <= 0){ loadMaze(); TextIO.put("Invalid amount of spaces, try again"); spacesMoved(); } return spaces; } //end spacesMoved method } //end of MazeGame class

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  • Confusing Java syntax...

    - by posfan12
    I'm trying to convert the following code (from Wikipedia) from Java to JavaScript: /* * 3 June 2003, [[:en:User:Cyp]]: * Maze, generated by my algorithm * 24 October 2006, [[:en:User:quin]]: * Source edited for clarity * 25 January 2009, [[:en:User:DebateG]]: * Source edited again for clarity and reusability * 1 June 2009, [[:en:User:Nandhp]]: * Source edited to produce SVG file when run from the command-line * * This program was originally written by [[:en:User:Cyp]], who * attached it to the image description page for an image generated by * it on en.wikipedia. The image was licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0/GFDL. */ import java.awt.*; import java.applet.*; import java.util.Random; /* Define the bit masks */ class Constants { public static final int WALL_ABOVE = 1; public static final int WALL_BELOW = 2; public static final int WALL_LEFT = 4; public static final int WALL_RIGHT = 8; public static final int QUEUED = 16; public static final int IN_MAZE = 32; } public class Maze extends java.applet.Applet { /* The width and height (in cells) of the maze */ private int width; private int height; private int maze[][]; private static final Random rnd = new Random(); /* The width in pixels of each cell */ private int cell_width; /* Construct a Maze with the default width, height, and cell_width */ public Maze() { this(20,20,10); } /* Construct a Maze with specified width, height, and cell_width */ public Maze(int width, int height, int cell_width) { this.width = width; this.height = height; this.cell_width = cell_width; } /* Initialization method that will be called when the program is * run from the command-line. Maze will be written as SVG file. */ public static void main(String[] args) { Maze m = new Maze(); m.createMaze(); m.printSVG(); } /* Initialization method that will be called when the program is * run as an applet. Maze will be displayed on-screen. */ public void init() { createMaze(); } /* The maze generation algorithm. */ private void createMaze(){ int x, y, n, d; int dx[] = { 0, 0, -1, 1 }; int dy[] = { -1, 1, 0, 0 }; int todo[] = new int[height * width], todonum = 0; /* We want to create a maze on a grid. */ maze = new int[width][height]; /* We start with a grid full of walls. */ for (x = 0; x < width; ++x) { for (y = 0; y < height; ++y) { if (x == 0 || x == width - 1 || y == 0 || y == height - 1) { maze[x][y] = Constants.IN_MAZE; } else { maze[x][y] = 63; } } } /* Select any square of the grid, to start with. */ x = 1 + rnd.nextInt (width - 2); y = 1 + rnd.nextInt (height - 2); /* Mark this square as connected to the maze. */ maze[x][y] &= ~48; /* Remember the surrounding squares, as we will */ for (d = 0; d < 4; ++d) { if ((maze[][d][][d] & Constants.QUEUED) != 0) { /* want to connect them to the maze. */ todo[todonum++] = ((x + dx[d]) << Constants.QUEUED) | (y + dy[d]); maze[][d][][d] &= ~Constants.QUEUED; } } /* We won't be finished until all is connected. */ while (todonum > 0) { /* We select one of the squares next to the maze. */ n = rnd.nextInt (todonum); x = todo[n] >> 16; /* the top 2 bytes of the data */ y = todo[n] & 65535; /* the bottom 2 bytes of the data */ /* We will connect it, so remove it from the queue. */ todo[n] = todo[--todonum]; /* Select a direction, which leads to the maze. */ do { d = rnd.nextInt (4); } while ((maze[][d][][d] & Constants.IN_MAZE) != 0); /* Connect this square to the maze. */ maze[x][y] &= ~((1 << d) | Constants.IN_MAZE); maze[][d][][d] &= ~(1 << (d ^ 1)); /* Remember the surrounding squares, which aren't */ for (d = 0; d < 4; ++d) { if ((maze[][d][][d] & Constants.QUEUED) != 0) { /* connected to the maze, and aren't yet queued to be. */ todo[todonum++] = ((x + dx[d]) << Constants.QUEUED) | (y + dy[d]); maze[][d][][d] &= ~Constants.QUEUED; } } /* Repeat until finished. */ } /* Add an entrance and exit. */ maze[1][1] &= ~Constants.WALL_ABOVE; maze[width - 2][height - 2] &= ~Constants.WALL_BELOW; } /* Called by the applet infrastructure to display the maze on-screen. */ public void paint(Graphics g) { drawMaze(g); } /* Called to write the maze to an SVG file. */ public void printSVG() { System.out.format("<svg width=\"%d\" height=\"%d\" version=\"1.1\"" + " xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\">\n", width*cell_width, height*cell_width); System.out.println(" <g stroke=\"black\" stroke-width=\"1\"" + " stroke-linecap=\"round\">"); drawMaze(null); System.out.println(" </g>\n</svg>"); } /* Main maze-drawing loop. */ public void drawMaze(Graphics g) { int x, y; for (x = 1; x < width - 1; ++x) { for (y = 1; y < height - 1; ++y) { if ((maze[x][y] & Constants.WALL_ABOVE) != 0) drawLine( x * cell_width, y * cell_width, (x + 1) * cell_width, y * cell_width, g); if ((maze[x][y] & Constants.WALL_BELOW) != 0) drawLine( x * cell_width, (y + 1) * cell_width, (x + 1) * cell_width, (y + 1) * cell_width, g); if ((maze[x][y] & Constants.WALL_LEFT) != 0) drawLine( x * cell_width, y * cell_width, x * cell_width, (y + 1) * cell_width, g); if ((maze[x][y] & Constants.WALL_RIGHT) != 0) drawLine((x + 1) * cell_width, y * cell_width, (x + 1) * cell_width, (y + 1) * cell_width, g); } } } /* Draw a line, either in the SVG file or on the screen. */ public void drawLine(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2, Graphics g) { if ( g != null ) g.drawLine(x1, y1, x2, y2); else System.out.format(" <line x1=\"%d\" y1=\"%d\"" + " x2=\"%d\" y2=\"%d\" />\n", x1, y1, x2, y2); } } Anyway, I was chugging along fairly quickly when I came to a bit that I just don't understand: /* Remember the surrounding squares, as we will */ for (var d = 0; d < 4; ++d) { if ((maze[][d][][d] & Constants.QUEUED) != 0) { /* want to connect them to the maze. */ todo[todonum++] = ((x + dx[d]) << Constants.QUEUED) | (y + dy[d]); maze[][d][][d] &= ~Constants.QUEUED; } } What I don't get is why there are four sets of brackets following the "maze" parameter instead of just two, since "maze" is a two dimensional array, not a four dimensional array. I'm sure there's a good reason for this. Problem is, I just don't get it. Thanks!

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  • Recursive Maze in Java

    - by Api
    I have written a short Java code for solving a simple maze problem to go from S to G. I do not understand where the problem is going wrong. import java.util.Scanner; public class tester { static char [][] grid={ {'.','.'}, {'.','.'}, {'S','G'}, }; static int a=2; static int b=2; static boolean findpath(int x, int y) { if((x > grid.length-1) || (y > grid[0].length-1) || (x < 0 || y < 0)) { return false; } else if(x==a && y==b){ return true; } else if (findpath(x,y-1) == true){ return true; } else if (findpath(x+1,y) == true){ return true; } else if (findpath(x,y+1) == true) { return true; } else if (findpath(x-1,y) == true){ return true; } return false; } public static void main(String[] args){ boolean result=findpath(2,0); System.out.print(result); } } I am giving the starting position directly and goal is defined in a & b. Do help.

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  • How to improve Algorithmic Programming Solving skill? [closed]

    - by gaurav
    Possible Duplicate: How can I improve my problem-solving ability? How do you improve your problem solving skills? Should I learn design patterns or algorithms to improve my logical thinking skills? What to do when you're faced with a problem that you can't solve quickly? Are there non-programming related activities akin to solving programming problems? I am a computer engineering graduate. I have studied programming since three years. I am good in coding and programming. I have been trying to compete in algorithmic competitions on sites such as topcoder,spoj since one and a half year, but I am still unable to solve problems other than too easy problems. I have learned from people that it takes practice to solve such problems. I try to solve those problems but sometimes I am unable to understand and even if I do understand I am unable to think of a good algorithm for solving it. Even if I solve I get Wrong answer and I am unable to figure out what is the problem with my code as it works on samples given on the sites but fails on test cases which they do not provide. I really want to solve those problems and become good in algorithms. I have read books for learning algorithms like Introduction to algorithms by CLRS,practicing programming questions. I have gone through some questions but they don't answer this question. I have seen the questions which are said duplicates but those questions focus on overall programming, but I am asking for algorithm related programming, basically for competing in programming which involve solving a problem statement then online judge will automatically evaluate it, such type of programming is quite different from the type of programming these questions discuss.

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  • Great Debugging skills weak problem solving

    - by Mahmoud
    For the 5 years I worked for various companies, I worked in large software like computer vision kits, embedded, games. I found myself very good at debuggins skills, I've even found and fixed bugs in frameworks and I solved them. The problem is that I'm very weak at problem solving. I got interview with Qualcomm, and they said you're fine at software, but you have a limited problem solving, I also had the same results with Google. I'm very bad at solving puzzles and brain teasers. During the interviews I solve all of the software related problems on the blackboard, but when I went to the GM and face math problems and probabilities, I struggle. How can I improve my problem solving skills? Edit Some of the problems: A cake that is cut from anywhere and needs just one cut to halved in equal. I told him cut it horizontally, he said No, consider it as a 2D Problem!. Consider a concenteric 3 circles, each one can get a color, but not matched with the other circle, how many blobs you can make out of those circles ? this was with the GM ( Augmented Reality SDK) Consider a train, an infinite one, and you looked at the window, and there are two cars, one big, and one small, what is the probability of having only a big car, I said 50%, he said, what if that two cars you dont know their length, and you want to get the probability of getting the biggest one, I struggled, didn't solve it... I was really exahusted after long day of interviews prob of having a number divisible by 5 in numbers from 1 to 100.. struggled!! All coding questions I solved them like reverse a string, detect a cycle in a linked list,..etc.

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  • How does one improve one's problem-solving ability?

    - by gcc
    How can one improve one's problem-solving ability? Everyone says same thing: "a real programmer knows how to handle real problem." But they forget how they learn this ability, or where (I know in school, no one gives us any ability, of course in my opinion). If you have any idea except above ones, feel free when you give your advice solve more problems do more exercises, write code, search google then write more ... For me, my question is like "use complex/known library instead of using your own." In other words, I want your personal experience, book recommendation, webpage on problem solving. Moreover, look your problem-solving method and give us your personal ability as if it is an algorithm

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  • How do I improve my problem-solving ability

    - by gcc
    How can I improve my problem-solving ability? Every one says same thing "a real programmer knows how to handle real problem", but they forget how they learn this ability, or where (I know in school, no one gives us any ability, of course in my opinion). If you have any idea except above ones, feel free when you give your advice solve more problems do more exercises, write code, search google then write more ... For me, my question is like "Use complex/known library instead of using your own." In other words, I want your experience, book recommendation, web page on problem solving

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  • Flowchart for solving programming problems

    - by nurne
    I noticed that every developer implements a somewhat different flowchart for solving programming problems. By flowchart I mean a defined system of techniques that the developer goes through in a certain sequence, trying to solve the problem at hand. Some examples for techniques: Google "how to..." or "... tutorial". Search the java/msdn/apple/etc API doc for the specific class or method. Search in stack overflow the exact problem with some tags like [iphone]/[java] etc. Take a nap and let the subconscious work. Debug. Draw the algorithm or system. Google the logged error message. Ask a colleague or manager. Ask a new question in stack overflow. From your experience, what is the best flowchart for solving a programming problem?

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  • looking for a good programming problem solving tool

    - by ctilley79
    Years ago when I was in school my computer science department used a website that had many different problem solving questions typically used in computer programming. They were ordered in difficulty and you were presented the solution after you attempted the problem. The site was used in competitions and was very useful for training purposes. Since I am trying to brush up on my algorithm skills, a good tool like this would be very useful. Does anyone know of a site similar to this in "modern" times?

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  • Solving a probabilistic problem

    - by ????????????
    So I am interested in Computational Investing and came across this problem on a wiki page: Write a program to discover the answer to this puzzle:"Let's say men and women are paid equally (from the same uniform distribution). If women date randomly and marry the first man with a higher salary, what fraction of the population will get married?" I don't have much knowledge in probability theory, so I'm not really sure how to implement this in code. My thinking: Populate two arrays(female,male) with random salary values from a uniform distribution. Randomly pair one female and one male array element and see if condition of higher salary is met. If it is, increment a counter. Divide counter by population and get percentage. Is this the correct logic? Do woman continually date until there is no males left with higher salaries than women?

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  • Rendering a random generated maze in WinForms.NET

    - by Claus Jørgensen
    Hi I'm trying to create a maze-generator, and for this I have implemented the Randomized Prim's Algorithm in C#. However, the result of the generation is invalid. I can't figure out if it's my rendering, or the implementation that's invalid. So for starters, I'd like to have someone take a look at the implementation: maze is a matrix of cells. var cell = maze[0, 0]; cell.Connected = true; var walls = new HashSet<MazeWall>(cell.Walls); while (walls.Count > 0) { var randomWall = walls.GetRandom(); var randomCell = randomWall.A.Connected ? randomWall.B : randomWall.A; if (!randomCell.Connected) { randomWall.IsPassage = true; randomCell.Connected = true; foreach (var wall in randomCell.Walls) walls.Add(wall); } walls.Remove(randomWall); } Here's a example on the rendered result: Edit Ok, lets have a look at the rendering part then: private void MazePanel_Paint(object sender, PaintEventArgs e) { int size = 20; int cellSize = 10; MazeCell[,] maze = RandomizedPrimsGenerator.Generate(size); mazePanel.Size = new Size( size * cellSize + 1, size * cellSize + 1 ); e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.Blue, 0, 0, size * cellSize, size * cellSize ); for (int y = 0; y < size; y++) for (int x = 0; x < size; x++) { foreach(var wall in maze[x, y].Walls.Where(w => !w.IsPassage)) { if (wall.Direction == MazeWallOrientation.Horisontal) { e.Graphics.DrawLine(Pens.Blue, x * cellSize, y * cellSize, x * cellSize + cellSize, y * cellSize ); } else { e.Graphics.DrawLine(Pens.Blue, x * cellSize, y * cellSize, x * cellSize, y * cellSize + cellSize ); } } } } And I guess, to understand this we need to see the MazeCell and MazeWall class: namespace MazeGenerator.Maze { class MazeCell { public int Column { get; set; } public int Row { get; set; } public bool Connected { get; set; } private List<MazeWall> walls = new List<MazeWall>(); public List<MazeWall> Walls { get { return walls; } set { walls = value; } } public MazeCell() { this.Connected = false; } public void AddWall(MazeCell b) { walls.Add(new MazeWall(this, b)); } } enum MazeWallOrientation { Horisontal, Vertical, Undefined } class MazeWall : IEquatable<MazeWall> { public IEnumerable<MazeCell> Cells { get { yield return CellA; yield return CellB; } } public MazeCell CellA { get; set; } public MazeCell CellB { get; set; } public bool IsPassage { get; set; } public MazeWallOrientation Direction { get { if (CellA.Column == CellB.Column) { return MazeWallOrientation.Horisontal; } else if (CellA.Row == CellB.Row) { return MazeWallOrientation.Vertical; } else { return MazeWallOrientation.Undefined; } } } public MazeWall(MazeCell a, MazeCell b) { this.CellA = a; this.CellB = b; a.Walls.Add(this); b.Walls.Add(this); IsPassage = false; } #region IEquatable<MazeWall> Members public bool Equals(MazeWall other) { return (this.CellA == other.CellA) && (this.CellB == other.CellB); } #endregion } }

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  • Maze not generating properly. Out of bounds exception. need quick fix

    - by Dan Joseph Porcioncula
    My maze generator seems to have a problem. I am trying to generate something like the maze from http://mazeworks.com/mazegen/mazetut/index.htm . My program displays this http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s320x320/374060_426350204045347_100000111130260_1880768_1572427285_n.jpg and the error Exception in thread "main" java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: -1 at Grid.genRand(Grid.java:73) at Grid.main(Grid.java:35) How do I fix my generator program? import java.awt.*; import java.awt.Color; import java.awt.Component; import java.awt.Graphics; import javax.swing.*; import java.util.ArrayList; public class Grid extends Canvas { Cell[][] maze; int size; int pathSize; double width, height; ArrayList<int[]> coordinates = new ArrayList<int[]>(); public Grid(int size, int h, int w) { this.size = size; maze = new Cell[size][size]; for(int i = 0; i<size; i++){ for(int a =0; a<size; a++){ maze[i][a] = new Cell(); } } setPreferredSize(new Dimension(h, w)); } public static void main(String[] args) { JFrame y = new JFrame(); y.setLayout(new BorderLayout()); Grid f = new Grid(25, 400, 400); y.add(f, BorderLayout.CENTER); y.setSize(450, 450); y.setVisible(true); y.setDefaultCloseOperation(y.EXIT_ON_CLOSE); f.genRand(); f.repaint(); } public void push(int[] xy) { coordinates.add(xy); int i = coordinates.size(); coordinates.ensureCapacity(i++); } public int[] pop() { int[] x = coordinates.get((coordinates.size())-1); coordinates.remove((coordinates.size())-1); return x; } public int[] top() { return coordinates.get((coordinates.size())-1); } public void genRand(){ // create a CellStack (LIFO) to hold a list of cell locations [x] // set TotalCells = number of cells in grid int TotalCells = size*size; // choose a cell at random and call it CurrentCell int m = randomInt(size); int n = randomInt(size); Cell curCel = maze[m][n]; // set VisitedCells = 1 int visCel = 1,d=0; int[] q; int h,o = 0,p = 0; // while VisitedCells < TotalCells while( visCel < TotalCells){ // find all neighbors of CurrentCell with all walls intact if(maze[m-1][n].countWalls() == 4){d++;} if(maze[m+1][n].countWalls() == 4){d++;} if(maze[m][n-1].countWalls() == 4){d++;} if(maze[m][n+1].countWalls() == 4){d++;} // if one or more found if(d!=0){ Point[] ls = new Point[4]; ls[0] = new Point(m-1,n); ls[1] = new Point(m+1,n); ls[2] = new Point(m,n-1); ls[3] = new Point(m,n+1); // knock down the wall between it and CurrentCell h = randomInt(3); switch(h){ case 0: o = (int)(ls[0].getX()); p = (int)(ls[0].getY()); curCel.destroyWall(2); maze[o][p].destroyWall(1); break; case 1: o = (int)(ls[1].getX()); p = (int)(ls[1].getY()); curCel.destroyWall(1); maze[o][p].destroyWall(2); break; case 2: o = (int)(ls[2].getX()); p = (int)(ls[2].getY()); curCel.destroyWall(3); maze[o][p].destroyWall(0); break; case 3: o = (int)(ls[3].getX()); p = (int)(ls[3].getY()); curCel.destroyWall(0); maze[o][p].destroyWall(3); break; } // push CurrentCell location on the CellStack push(new int[] {m,n}); // make the new cell CurrentCell m = o; n = p; curCel = maze[m][n]; // add 1 to VisitedCells visCel++; } // else else{ // pop the most recent cell entry off the CellStack q = pop(); m = q[0]; n = q[1]; curCel = maze[m][n]; // make it CurrentCell // endIf } // endWhile } } public int randomInt(int s) { return (int)(s* Math.random());} public void paint(Graphics g) { int k, j; width = getSize().width; height = getSize().height; double htOfRow = height / (size); double wdOfRow = width / (size); //checks verticals - destroys east border of cell for (k = 0; k < size; k++) { for (j = 0; j < size; j++) { if(maze[k][j].checkWall(2)){ g.drawLine((int) (k * wdOfRow), (int) (j * htOfRow), (int) (k * wdOfRow), (int) ((j+1) * htOfRow)); }} } //checks horizontal - destroys north border of cell for (k = 0; k < size; k++) { for (j = 0; j < size; j++) { if(maze[k][j].checkWall(3)){ g.drawLine((int) (k * wdOfRow), (int) (j * htOfRow), (int) ((k+1) * wdOfRow), (int) (j * htOfRow)); }} } } } class Cell { private final static int NORTH = 0; private final static int EAST = 1; private final static int WEST = 2; private final static int SOUTH = 3; private final static int NO = 4; private final static int START = 1; private final static int END = 2; boolean[] wall = new boolean[4]; boolean[] border = new boolean[4]; boolean[] backtrack = new boolean[4]; boolean[] solution = new boolean[4]; private boolean isVisited = false; private int Key = 0; public Cell(){ for(int i=0;i<4;i++){wall[i] = true;} } public int countWalls(){ int i, k =0; for(i=0; i<4; i++) { if (wall[i] == true) {k++;} } return k;} public boolean checkWall(int x){ switch(x){ case 0: return wall[0]; case 1: return wall[1]; case 2: return wall[2]; case 3: return wall[3]; } return true; } public void destroyWall(int x){ switch(x){ case 0: wall[0] = false; break; case 1: wall[1] = false; break; case 2: wall[2] = false; break; case 3: wall[3] = false; break; } } public void setStart(int i){Key = i;} public int getKey(){return Key;} public boolean checkVisit(){return isVisited;} public void visitCell(){isVisited = true;} }

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  • Algorithm to get through a maze

    - by Sam
    Hello, We are currently programming a game (its a pretty unknown language: modula 2), And the problem we encountered is the following: we have a maze (not a perfect maze) in a 17 x 12 grid. The computer has to generate a way from the starting point (9, 12) to the end point (9, 1). I found some algorithms but they dont work when the robot has to go back: xxxxx x => x x xxx or: xxxxx x xxxxxx x x x x x xxxxxx x => x xxxxxxxxx I found a solution for the first example type but then the second type couldn't be solved and the solution I made up for the second type would cause the robot to get stuck in the first type of situation. It's a lot of code so i'll give the idea: WHILE (end destination not reached) DO { try to go right, if nothing blocks you: go right if you encounter a block, try up until you can go right, if you cant go up anymore try going down until you can go right, (starting from the place you first were blocked), if you cant go down anymore, try one step left and fill the spaces you tested with blocks. } This works for the first type of problem ... not for the second one. Now it could be that i started wrong so i am open for better algorithms or solutions specificaly to how i could improve my algorithm. Thanks a lot!!

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  • Maze Navigation in Player Stage with Roomba

    - by Scott
    Here is my code: /* Scott Landau Robot Lab Assignment 1 */ // Standard Java Libs import java.io.*; // Player/Stage Libs import javaclient2.*; import javaclient2.structures.*; import javaclient2.structures.sonar.*; // Begin public class SpinningRobot { public static Position2DInterface pos = null; public static LaserInterface laser = null; public static void main(String[] args) { PlayerClient robot = new PlayerClient("localhost", 6665); laser = robot.requestInterfaceLaser(0, PlayerConstants.PLAYER_OPEN_MODE); pos = robot.requestInterfacePosition2D(0,PlayerConstants.PLAYER_OPEN_MODE); robot.runThreaded (-1, -1); pos.setSpeed(0.5f, -0.25f); // end pos float x, y; x = 46.0f; y = -46.0f; boolean done = false; while( !done ){ if(laser.isDataReady()) { float[] laser_data = laser.getData().getRanges(); System.out.println("== IR Sensor =="); System.out.println("Left Wall Distance: "+laser_data[360]); System.out.println("Right Wall Distance: " +laser_data[0]); // if laser doesn't reach left wall, move to detect it // so we can guide using left wall if ( laser_data[360] < 0.6f ) { while ( laser_data[360] < 0.6f ) { pos.setSpeed(0.5f, -0.5f); } } else if ( laser_data[0] < 0.6f ) { while(laser_data[0<0.6f) { pos.setSpeed(0.5f, 0.5f); } } pos.setSpeed(0.5f, -0.25f); // end pos? done = ( (pos.getX() == x) && (pos.getY() == y) ); } } } } // End I was trying to have the Roomba go continuously at a slight right curve, quickly turning away from each wall it came to close to if it recognized it with it's laser. I can only use laser_data[360] and laser_data[0] for this one robot. I think this would eventually navigate the maze. However, I am using the Player Stage platform, and Stage freezes when the Roomba comes close to a wall using this code, I have no idea why. Also, if you can think of a better maze navigation algorithm, please let me know. Thank you!

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  • Creating a Maze using Java

    - by user356184
    Im using Java to create a maze of specified "rows" and "columns" over each other to look like a grid. I plan to use a depth-first recursive method to "open the doors" between the rooms (the box created by the rows and columns). I need help writing a openDoor method that will break the link between rooms.

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  • How do one improve him/her problem-solving ability ?

    - by gcc
    How can one improve him/her problem-solving ability? Every one says same thing "a real programmer knows how to handle real problem", but they forget how they learn this ability, or where (I know in school, no one gives us any ability, of course in my opinion). If you have any idea except above ones, feel free when you give your advice solve more problems do more exercises, write code, search google then write more ... For me, my question is like "Use complex/known library instead of using your own." In other words,t I want your presonal experience, book recommendation, web page on problem solving. Moreover, look your problem-solving method and give us your personal ability as if it is an algorithm

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  • Are there non-programming related activities akin to solving programming problems ?

    - by julien
    I'm talking about particular activities, for which you can draw parallels with the specific kind of reasonning needed when solving programming problems. Counter examples are activities that would help in almost any situation, like : take a shower or any other, somewhat passive activities, which are only helpful in triggering this sort of asynchronous problem solving our brain does exercise, because you brain simply works better when you're fit EDIT : It seems this question was quite misunderstood. I wasn't asking about what you can do when stuck on a problem but rather, what kind of activities you have in you spare time that you think help you, more or less directly, solving programing problems.

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  • Ensure house map maze with lifts can be solved?

    - by Philipp Lenssen
    In my game we see the floors of a house from the side, and the hero can take lifts -- a lift either goes up (to the next lift upwards), or down (to the next lift downwards), depending on the arrow as shown, and there's always a pair of exactly two lifts connected. That's the only way the hero can move vertically, though he can freely move horizontally. The house map is a randomized 11x5 grid with different items, and unpassable walls to the far left, far right, and sometimes in one of the two middle positions: My question: How can I ensure the map is always randomized yet always solvable and that the hero, starting at the left side of the bottom floor, can always leave it via any upwards-pointing lift at the top floor? For what it's worth I'm using the Lua language for development. Thanks so much!

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  • Code Golf: Rotating Maze

    - by trinithis
    Code Golf: Rotating Maze Make a program that takes in a file consisting of a maze. The maze has walls given by '#'. The maze must include a single ball, given by a 'o' and any number of holes given by a '@'. The maze file can either be entered via command line or read in as a line through standard input. Please specify which in your solution. Your program then does the following: 1: If the ball is not directly above a wall, drop it down to the nearest wall. 2: If the ball passes through a hole during step 1, remove the ball. 3: Display the maze. 4: If there is no ball in the maze, exit. 5: Read a line from the standard input. Given a 1, rotate the maze counterclockwise. Given a 2, rotate the maze clockwise. Rotations are done by 90 degrees. It is up to you to decide if extraneous whitespace is allowed. If the user enters other inputs, repeat this step. 6: Goto step 1. You may assume all input mazes are closed. Note, a hole effectively acts as a wall in this regard. You may assume all input mazes have no extraneous whitespace. The shortest source code by character count wins. Example mazes: ###### #o @# ###### ########### #o # # ####### # ###@ # ######### ########################### # # # # @ # # # # ## # # ####o#### # # # # # # ######### # @ ######################

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  • What is your unique programming problem-solving style? [closed]

    - by gcc
    Everyone has their own styles and technique for approaching and solving real world problems. These distinguish us from other people or other programmers. (Actually, I think it make us more desirable as programmers and improves computer science) To improve, we read a lot of books; for example, programming style, how to solve problems, how to approach problems, software and algorithms, et al. Can I learn your technique? In other words, if someone gives you a problem, at first step, what are you doing to solve it? I want learn the style in which you approach, analyze, and solve a problem. EDIT: every programmer is a unique instance; each of us approach problems and converge on solutions in our own... idiomatic manner. This manner is sometimes a quirk of training, a bias of tools, but often it is an insightful nugget, a little golden hammer that cracks nuts just slightly faster then others. When answering, give your general approaches but also take a moment to identify how you look at things in ways that your peers do not. Let's call this your Unique Solving Perspective, or USP.

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  • How to improve problem solving skills/programming skills

    - by kaibuki
    Hi All, I am new to programming, and have been given many interviews for jobs, but what I lag is the concepts and skills of general problem solving not respect to any particular programming language. are there any books or material available which can help me upgrade my programming skills. looking forward for you guys to share your views. Thanks a millions.. Kai

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