Use graphics.py. It is a simple graphics library. Click HERE for more information. (download, install, documentation, ...)

Project #1

Create an interactive puzzle in a graphics window. It consists of cells containing numbers. To win, the user must arrange the number cells in a specific order.

• left to right, in numeric order, starting at the top left cell
• top to bottom, in numeric order, starting at the top left cell
• other

There is one blank cell. This cell can swap places with an adjacent numbered cell.

Clicking on a numbered cell adjacent to (touching) the blank cell will cause the cells to swap place. (Touching top, bottom, left, and right. No diagonals.)

When the puzzle is complete a congratulations message is displayed. The number of moves (swaps) is also displayed.

See the "Sample Puzzle Layout" below.

Design Thoughts

1. Controls available to the user
   • start the puzzle?
   • restart/reset the puzzle?
   • start a new puzzle?
   • quit the puzzle?
   
   
2. save the puzzle
   • save the current state of the puzzle so the user can stop in the middle and come back later?


3. Number of cells and puzzle layout
   • number of cells is fixed or the user selects the number of cells?
   • the layout is fixed or the user selects a layout from several available?


4. On puzzle start
   1. if multiple puzzle layouts are available, one is randomly selected.
   2. a random cell is selected to be the blank cell.
   3. numbers are randomly distributed to the other cells.
   4. the puzzle and controls are displayed in a graphics window.


5. The puzzle's cells do not need to be arranged in a rectangle. How about a Diamond? A triangle? ...?

Sample Puzzle Layout