Make Your Own Sudoku Puzzles

Overview

I enjoy puzzles with very simple rules that can be exceedingly difficult. Sudoku fits that definition. The rules are very simple: find the missing numbers so there are no repeat numbers in any rows, columns or 3x3 regions.

There are many Sudoku websites. I decided to make my own Sudoku website and Sudoku program because I thought it would be a cool JavaScript program. Also, I thought I could design some features that I haven't found in other places.

The most important feature is a wide range of levels that include very easy levels suitable for young children. Levels 1, 2 and 3 are very easy. The idea is to introduce Sudoku without making it look too difficult. After the person gets the hang of it, higher levels can be tried.

Level 1 only masks one or two numbers per row. This can make the puzzle easy enough for a young child. The rows with 2 numbers masked require the child to look at the column or 3x3 box to decide on the missing number instead of just the row. I did these simple Sudoku puzzles so that preschool children won't be overwhelmed. These very simple puzzles can help ease a young child into the fun of Sudoku puzzles at a very young age.

I decided not to make the program interactive. I think most people would prefer doing the puzzle on paper, so I designed the program to display the puzzles and answers in a window that can be easily printed.

Instructions:

1. Review and Print Example: To learn about the simple rules of Sudoku, click the example button. A new window will open with a brief description of the rules and an example table will be displayed. This can be printed if needed. Be sure to close window before continuing.
2. Set Default Level: The default level is 5. Enter a level in the text box to change the level. Levels range from 1 to 12. Level 1 should be suitable for preschool children. Level 12 is the hardest level.
3. Create and Print Puzzle: To make your own original Sudoku puzzle, click the create button on the right. Puzzles are generated in a completely random method. Two tables will shown in the window. The first is the puzzle. The second one with the answers appears below. This is intended to be printed with the answers appearing on the second page.
4. Create More Puzzles: Close the puzzle window before clicking the create button again. This can be repeated as many times as desired. Every puzzle is tagged with a random number so that the puzzle and answer tables can be matched.

Problems?

• Alert Box - If you see an alert box warning that asks you if you want to abort. Click NO. This is due to the program's high computation effort. The program only needs a few more seconds to complete. It has been designed with time-outs to make it impossible to lock up your PC. After you click NO on the alert box, be sure to bring the generated window to the front so you know when it has finished.
• Nothing Happens When You Click the Button - Have you closed the previous window? After you create a puzzle or display the example, you have to close that window before creating a new puzzle.
• Puzzle Window Doesn't Finish - On some browsers it may appear that the puzzle window hasn't finished even after the tables have been displayed. It may appear that more is being downloaded. Just click the browser stop button. This may be required before printing.
• Printer Problems - Print the puzzle or example window just like you would any other webpage using your browser print option. You may need to click the browser stop button before printing.

Sudoku Websites

• Sudoku on Wikipedia - rules, info, history
• Web Sudoku - if you want to play online
• Sudoku Webring - directory of Sudoku sites