Mini Sudoku Solver
download program
download examples
see Delphi program description
Linked-In daily presents a mini-sudoku puzzle.
Below is a picture of such a puzzle, left in the unsolved state, right in the solved state:


A square consists of 6*6 cells.
These cells are organised as 6 rows, 6 columns and 6 groups, each of 6 cells.
Each row, column or group finally must contain the digits 1 to 6.
Some cells already hold a digit, these preset digits are painted in grey.
In the solved state, numbers added by the player are painted in black,
numbers supplied as hint by the computer are painted in orange.
Some cells of the unsolved game show small digits.
These are so called options, digits that are allowed and cause no constraint with digits in other cells.

This program helps in solving mini-sudoku puzzels by
displaying options, supply hints and warnings.

The buttons

    operationmode..
    load,savenew/playself explanetory
    newenter new game
    playsearch for a solution
    helpnew/playdisplay on-line help
    clearnewerases cell info
    optionsnew/playisplay cell options
    warningsplayshows missing options in cells, rows, columns and groups
    hintsplayshows hints: cells with 1 option, obsolete options in rows, columns and groups
    orgeplaysets game to unsolved state
    recalceplayrecalculate cell options

Entering digits

This may be done in two ways:
    1.
      A left mouseclick on a cell puts the cursor in that cell.
      Pressing a digit key places this digit in the selected cell.
      A right mouseclick on a cell removes the digit.
      Move the cursor with the cursor keys.
    2.
      Selecting options shows options in the cells.
      A left mouseclick on an option places that digit in the cell.
      In play mode a right mouseclick on a cell option removes that option.

Hints

There are two type of hints:
    1.Hints to add a digit.
      This applies to cells with just one option.
    2. hints to remove redundant options.
      There is just one rule:
      If a row, column or group has n cells that hold n options these options
      cannot be part of the other 6-n cells of that column, row or group.
Picture below shows such a case:



In row 1, columns 1 and 5 hold options 1,6.
These options cannot appear in cell 6 of row 1.

Save and Load

Mini-Sudoku files have no extension.
Instead, the filenames are automatically prefixed by misu_

Installation

There is no installation procedure. Simply place the *.exe file in a folder of choice.

Enjoy !