WordGrid User Guide
===================

Release: Version 1.0

Introduction
============

This program can be used to produce simple word grids, a grid of letter in which a list of words are hidden. It can also generate traditional CrossWord puzzles.

Usage
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WordGrid HELP | STEP | <GRID|CROSSWORD> [<questionfile>] <wordfile> <size> <random Y|N> <table Y|N> <savefile>
	
	HELP      - Will display this file
	STEP      - Used by its self to be prompted for each parameter instead of supplying them on the command line
	GRID      - Used to generate a word grid
	CROSSWORD - Used to generate a crossword

        questionfile - used only when operating in CROSSWORD mode, contains list of questions
        wordfile - contains list of words to place in grid/crossword
        size - number of rows/columns to use in grid
        random - if 'y' it will places words randomly, otherwise it works sequentialy
        table - if 'y' it will output the grid with ',' separated square
        savefile - filename to use when saving solution

Notes
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i)   All words are resorted so that largest words come first
ii)  All words will be capitalised before generating the solution eg "A Book Title" becomes "A BOOK TITLE"
iii) All non-alphanumeric characters will be stripped from words, eg "A BOOK TITLE" becomes "ABOOKTITLE"
iv)  If you enter a grid size smaller than the largest words length, the program will fail to start
v)   CrossWord solutions will include Across and Down questions along with details of the word to fill in eg if the word is "a book title" that will have become "ABOOKTITLE" and the answer will indicate the solution as (1,4,5)
vi)  WordGrid solutions simply hold each word somewhere in the grid with random characters occupying all other positions

Running WordGrid
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1) If you want to generate a CrossWord, create a text file containing the questions for your crossword.

2) Create a text file containing the answers for your crossword, or the list of words for your WordGrid.

3) Launch program from command prompt, either with all the arguements or using the step option to be prompted for each parameter.

4) While running it will display an approximate percentage of possibilities tried. Choose the solution you want and then it will be saved

Hints
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For generating CrossWords :
i)   It is best not to use the random option
ii)  Enter a grid size slightly greater than the maximum word length, eg word length 19, grid size 25

For generating CrossWords :
i)   It is best to use the random option

Copyright © 2002 Antony Scerri