How to Use the Command 'nudoku' (with examples)

Developed as a lightweight Sudoku game for terminal enthusiasts, ’nudoku’ allows users to enjoy the excitement and mental challenge of solving Sudoku puzzles directly in their terminal. With a straightforward interface and a variety of commands to enhance the gaming experience, ’nudoku’ is perfect for users who prefer focusing on logic and numbers without fancy graphics. Below, we’ll explore various use cases of the ’nudoku’ command and its functionalities, ensuring you maximize your Sudoku experience on the terminal.

Use case 1: Start a Sudoku Game

Code:

nudoku

Motivation:
Starting the game with the basic command is the most direct way to dive into playing Sudoku. This command initiates a Sudoku puzzle with default settings.

Explanation:

• nudoku: This is the main command to launch the game. Running it without any additional arguments begins a new Sudoku game with normal difficulty by default.

Example Output:

+---+---+---++
| 5 | 3 |   |..
| 6 |   |   |...
|   | 9 | 8 |...
+---+---+---++
...

(The output provides an empty Sudoku grid ready for you to start solving!)

Use case 2: Choose the Difficulty of the Game

Code:

nudoku -d easy

Motivation:
Choosing a difficulty level allows the user to tailor the game to their skill level, whether they are looking for a relaxed puzzle-solving experience or a challenging mental workout.

Explanation:

• -d: This flag indicates that you want to set a specific difficulty.
• easy|normal|hard: These options allow you to choose between easy, normal, and hard grids. In this example, ’easy’ is selected.

Example Output:

+---+---+---++
|   |   | 3 |..
| 9 | 1 | 6 |...
|   | 8 |   |...
+---+---+---++
...

(The grid will display easier patterns with more pre-filled numbers, making the puzzle simpler to solve.)

Use case 3: Navigate the Board

Code:

h|j|k|l OR Left|Down|Up|Right arrow key

Motivation:
Navigating through the grid efficiently allows players to inspect and fill in the grid quickly. Using familiar navigational keys streamlines this process.

Explanation:

• h|j|k|l: These are Vim-style keys used for moving left, down, up, and right, respectively.
• Left|Down|Up|Right: Standard arrow keys that offer an alternative method for movement across the grid.

Example Output:
(As you navigate, the cursor will move seamlessly between the grid cells, highlighting the current focus area.)

Use case 4: Delete a Number

Code:

Backspace|x

Motivation:
Removing an incorrect number is a frequent necessity in Sudoku when a player makes an error. This ensures grid cleanliness and accurate problem-solving.

Explanation:

• Backspace: Removes a digit from a cell.
• x: An alternative character for deleting the current entry under the cursor position.

Example Output:
(The number in the selected cell is cleared, leaving an empty space for a new input.)

Use case 5: Get a Hint

Code:

H

Motivation:
Sometimes players get stuck and need a little push to progress further in the game. A hint can remove the mental block by filling in one correct answer.

Explanation:

• H: This command provides a hint by filling in one cell with the correct number, aiding you without revealing too much

Example Output:

Hint: Filled cell (3,1) with the number 4.

(A single number is populated in a potentially strategic cell to help solve the puzzle.)

Use case 6: See the Complete Solution

Code:

S

Motivation:
Understanding the solution might be necessary when players are completely stuck or wish to learn problem-solving strategies. Viewing the complete solution can aid learning and error verification.

Explanation:

• S: This command reveals the entire solution to the current puzzle, showing all numbers in their correct positions.

Example Output:

Complete solution:
+---+---+---++
| 4 | 3 | 5 |..
| 9 | 1 | 6 |...
| 7 | 8 | 2 |...
+---+---+---++
...

(The Sudoku grid is fully completed, showcasing the correct arrangement of numbers.)

Use case 7: Create a New Puzzle

Code:

N

Motivation:
Refreshing the challenge with a new puzzle keeps the game engaging. It provides immediate access to a different grid once the previous one is completed or abandoned.

Explanation:

• N: This command generates a brand-new Sudoku puzzle, bringing a fresh challenge without exiting the game.

Example Output:

New puzzle:
+---+---+---++
| 8 | 0 |   |..
|   |   | 9 |...
|   | 4 | 3 |...
+---+---+---++
...

(A fresh grid appears, ready to be solved with varied numbers and positions.)

Use case 8: Quit the Game

Code:

Q

Motivation:
Exiting the game promptly is essential for saving time when you’ve finished playing or need a break. It helps in smoothly returning control to other terminal tasks.

Explanation:

• Q: This command will terminate the ’nudoku’ game and return the session to the command line.

Example Output:

Thank you for playing nudoku. Come back soon!

(The game exits, and the terminal is freed for other tasks without any pending processes.)

Conclusion:

’nudoku’ serves as a compelling exercise for your brain, offering a colourful grid of mind-teasing Sudoku. Through these use cases—from starting a game to skilfully navigating and finalizing solutions—you can leverage every feature ’nudoku’ offers, all from the simplicity of your terminal window. Whether you’re a Sudoku novice seeking gentle challenges or a seasoned solver looking for hard-mode puzzles, ’nudoku’ provides a comprehensive terminal-based puzzle adventure for everyone.