Project Notes

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Do you like Sudoku but want a little help sometimes? This project will not solve the puzzle for you by itself...but it can sure make it easier!

It was designed for a right-handed user since it requires heavy use of the mouse and the "Q" and "A" keys.

=== Puzzle Entry:

Load a puzzle from the library by pressing the "L" key, or put in your own by holding the mouse over the square you want and pressing a digit key. If you click in a square, the last digit entered will be repeated. Use Space to clear a square.

Another number entry shortcut - Clicking on a square with the Up or Down arrow pressed will increment or decrement the number in the square.

Still another way to enter digits is to press the "N" key to toggle a number entry grid. Click on the entry grid to set the current number, then click on the puzzle grid to enter it in the squares you want.

=== Puzzle Solving - Blocking Out

You can "block out" all the squares that are not possible for a given number by holding the mouse over the number and pressing the "Q" key. Look for rows, columns and 9-squares that only have one white square in them. If you find some, just click in them and the number will be inserted and the block-out information updated. Use the "A" key to turn off blocking or just use "Q" on a different square.

=== Puzzle Solving - Calculate Candidates

If you want to see what possible numbers could fit in an empty square, hold the mouse over the square and press the "Q" key again. The message bar at the bottom will show you all the possible digits for that square. If there is only one, just click in that square to fill it in.

You can press the "H" key (for Hint) and the candidates for *all* empty squares will be examined. If any single candidate locations are found, it will show them to you. This calculation can take a long time so use only as a last resort!