Skip to content

SE121 Sudoku Explainer

Jump to bottom
SudokuMonster edited this page Jan 1, 2020 · 4 revisions

Sudoku Explainer

Current version: 1.2.1

The Sudoku Explainer is a Sudoku solver written in Java. It explains how to solve any sudoku puzzle in an interactive way: give it a sudoku that has a unique solution, and it will solve it step by step. At each step, a description of the technique that is used, with a graphical illustration, is given.

Some features of the Sudoku Explainer:

  • Allows you to enter any sudoku puzzle, including partially solved ones.
  • Solves the sudoku puzzle step by step, by the mean of a "Solve Step" button
  • Gives an explanation of the technique that is used at each step, with a graphical illustration. Even the most complex techniques, when required, are illustrated and explained
  • Automatically displays and updates all the possible values for cells that are still empty
  • Can display cells as A1 - I9 (friendly) or R1C1 - R9C9 (traditional).
  • Always chooses the simplest solving technique that can be applied
  • Also allows you to get all the hints that are applicable at any stage, and to browse them (see screenshot on the right)
  • Allows you to check the validity of a sudoku puzzle (whether it has a unique solution). Note that the Sudoku Explainer will not solve sudoku puzzles with more than one solution.
  • Allows you to edit the candidates in empty cells
  • Multiple Look & Feels (Usually: System standard, CDE/Motif and Java/Metal)
  • Implements the following solving techniques:
    • Naked Singles and Hidden Singles
    • Direct Pointing, Claiming and Hidden Pairs
    • Naked and Hidden Pairs, Triplets and Quads
    • Locking, Claiming (intersections), X-Wing, Swordfish and Jellyfish
    • XY-Wing and XYZ-Wing
    • Unique Rectangles and Loops
    • Bivalue Universal Grave
    • Aligned Pair Exclusion
    • Bidirectional Cycles
    • Nishio
    • Forcing Chains
  • Never uses brute-force

Related pages

Some interesting Sudokus for exploring the solving techniques
Sudoku Explainer FAQ
Equivalence between Naked Sets, Hidden Sets and Fishy patterns
Sudoku on Wikipedia - The free encyclopedia
Sudoku Susser - another Sudoku solver
Sudoku Assistant/Solver - another Sudoku solver (in Javascript)
Sudoku Players' Forums
Sudoku Programmers' Forums

Last update: 2007-12-28
Clone this wiki locally