Uncle Chuck's Sokoban Solutions - Interactive Java Applets
There are 19 applets, each containing 20 puzzles (except for the last, which contains only 19 puzzles). Each applet is approximately 30 Kbytes, size-wise. Downloading of an applet occurs in two separate phases. Phase 1, initiated when you select an applet, is the downloading of the applet and the puzzle configurations (approximately 15 Kbytes). Phase 2, initiated the first time that you start the applet's solver, is the downloading of the solver (approxiamtely 15 Kbytes). Therefore, expect these two minor downloading delays.
For user instructions, press the 'HELP' button after the selected applet is ready for play.
RECYCLED SOKOBAN
Uncle Chuck's CAT-N-MOUSE Chase - A Java Applet
Sokoban fans just might be amused playing Uncle Chuck's latest java applet (freeware of course)! Version 1.2 was released June 2003.
You are the MOUSE (the gray ball); your computer is the CAT (the orange ball). The CAT's moves are automatically determined by Uncle Chuck's very own shortest path algorithm.
Handicap Uncle Chuck's CAT (nine mousing abilities from "GOOD -" to "BEST +") and lead the CAT on a merry chase. If you can operate the MOUSE to out maneuver his "BEST +" CAT, Uncle Chuck would like to shake your hand!
There are 333 different chase areas based on 'r e c y c l e d' Sokoban levels. Uncle Chuck's Sokoban java applet code was recycled, too.
Uncle Chuck's Sokoban Solutions Project --- The Details
As a father-son project, Uncle Chuck and his son, Tom, (who teaches
Java), jointly developed these 19 FREEWARE Java applets.
Each applet consists of 20 Sokoban puzzles and their solutions. There are a total of 379 Sokoban puzzles. (The 19th applet contains only 19 puzzles and their solutions.)
The basic features of each applet are as follows:
- The applet retrieves the Sokoban puzzle that you select.
- Manually, try to solve it if you can by using the arrow keys.
(NOTE: Initially, the applet may not respond to keyboard input. If so, click anywhere within the puzzle area. The applet will now process keyboard input.)
- GIVE UP?
Then just click on the "StartSolver" button and the
applet solves the puzzle for you at a speed of your choice,
subject to the limitations of your computer.
(See Applet Performance Notes below.)
Each applet has nine controls via buttons, plus keyboard input controls, namely:
- --HELP button-- to display the user instructions
- --Reset button-- to redisplay the Sokoban puzzle in its initial state
- --Undo button-- to undo the last move
- --Moves button-- a counter of the 'Red Ball' moves and the 'Black Ball' moves
- --Puzzle button-- to select a puzzle from a choice of 20 puzzles
- --StartSolver button-- to have the applet solve the selected puzzle
- --StopSolver button-- to have the applet halt its solution of the puzzle
- --ResetSolver button-- to redisplay the Sokoban puzzle in its initial state
- --Speed button-- to select a speed at which the applet solves the puzzle,
where choices are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35,
40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 moves per second. Speed has
been initially set to "5". (See Applet
Performance Notes below.)
- --Keyboard input-- use the arrow keys to move the red ball (and the black balls); use of any other key (such as, the h-key) will display the user instructions.
APPLET PERFORMANCE NOTES
- Each applet conforms to Java 1.02 per Sun Microsystems, Inc.
For the applet to run on
your computer, your browser must be Java-enabled. The applet's
performance , i.e., its responsiveness, on your computer is
affected by your computer's processor speed, memory size, and
browser, as well as other factors, such as other processes that
are also active while the applet is running.
- Java applet code is interpreted by your browser. Not all browsers
interpret Java applet code in the same way. Uncle Chuck's Sokoban
Solutions applets were tested on several different PCs and coded to
minimize noticeable differences between browsers.
- A browser is not necessary to run a Java applet. A Java applet can also be run by using the freeware 'Applet Viewer' (by Sun Microsystems, Inc.), which is an application for testing and running an applet. For more information on this excellent option, contact:
Project Status (as of January 28, 2001)
Uncle Chuck's Sokoban Solutions applets are FREEWARE for your enjoyment.
There are 379 puzzles and their solutions... requiring numerous months of
work to solve and to document the released solutions.
Version 3.3 of the applets is now released. The applets
contain Uncle Chuck's solutions to all 379 puzzles.
To ensure quality solutions, Uncle Chuck has solved each puzzle no fewer
than four times before releasing his solution.
On January 19, 2001, the original single applet that contained all 379 puzzles and their solutions was "retired" due to its excessive downloading time. That applet was "replaced" with this set of 19 applets, each containing only 20 puzzles and their solutions. Downloading time per applet is now more acceptable.
The 379-puzzles applet (200 Kbytes) is still available, however its downloading time is much greater than one of the 20-puzzles applets (30 Kbytes).
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