BUILDING KENDOKU PUZZLES

KENDOKU puzzles are built on square grids of typically 5x5 cells (although puzzles having sizes in the range 4x4 up to 9x9 can also be made). To solve them you must place numbers into the puzzle cells in such a way that each row and column contains each of the digits from 1 up to the size of the puzzle. In this respect they are similar to Sudoku puzzles. Unlike Sudoku puzzles, you are not given any starting digits. Instead, the puzzle is divided into Domains which are areas surrounded by a bold outline, and containing from two up to four cells. Each domain contains a hint consisting of a number and one of the mathematical symbols + x — /. The number is the result of applying the mathematical operation represented by the symbol to the digits contained within the domain. This will provide enough information to allow each of the digits to be determined. Each puzzle has a unique solution, and no guessing is required.

Menu Functions
  • File Menu
    • Load a Puzzle
      Use this option to choose your puzzle from the pool of KENDOKU puzzles currently available on your computer.

    • SaveAs
      This option allows you to make an exact copy of the current puzzle using a different file name. The copy will be saved in the kendoku folder along with all of the Kendoku puzzles you have made. Alternatively, if you don't enter a new name for the puzzle, you can change the Puzzle Description, or any of the other descriptive items without changing the puzzle name.

    • Quit Construction
      Returns you to the Magnum Opus opening screen.

  • Build Menu
    • Start a New Puzzle
      This option presents you with a dialog into which you can enter a file name for your new puzzle. You can also enter several other pieces of information such as a Puzzle Title, Author and Copyright information.

    • Build Options
      Use this option to access a Build Options dialog where you can set some rules to be followed by the puzzle building function as it builds your puzzle.

    • Start / Stop Building
      Construction of the puzzle will commence when you select the Start / Stop Building option. If puzzle building is successful you will receive a message containing the name of the puzzle file, and the location where it was saved. If it becomes necessary, you can interrupt the building process by selecting this option a second time.

  • View Menu
    • Display Options
      This leads you to a dialog box in which you can change the colors of various elements within the puzzle, and control the fonts which will be used for the puzzle's text components. You can also decide if printing of the puzzle will be done in black and white or in color.

  • Tasks Menu
    • Print this Puzzle
      This will take you to a custom print screen where you can control the details involved with printing your puzzle.

    • Solve this Puzzle
      This will take you to a Solve screen which provides a fully interactive environment for solving the puzzle.

    • Export as Applet
      This option will export a set of files which implement a fully working interactive KENDOKU puzzle as a Java Applet. These files can be uploaded to your web server to enable you to publish interactive puzzles in your own web pages. Read the topic  Exporting an Applet  for more details.

    • Delete this Puzzle
      Use this option to eliminate unwanted KENDOKU puzzles from your file system.

  • Help Menu
    • Kendoku Help
      Displays the Help screen which you are now reading.