What is Xsudo?

Xsudo is a software program for making, solving, and learning about Sudoku puzzles. Its built in logic editor allows users to explore their own logical ideas or apply known Sudoku methods while solving puzzles. Xsudo's logic engine supports vitually all Sudoku methods plus any logic possible in a Sudoku grid. Xsudo's main functions are:

Logic Editing Manual or automatic logic edit. that can be used while solving puzzles or stand alone.

Puzzle Solver A built-in solver that automatically solve puzzles and finds different solutions to the same puzzle.

Puzzle Maker A push button puzzle maker with 7 user selected levels of difficulty.

Puzzle File Explorer. A dual window file explorer for saving, organizing, and visually searching puzzle files.

Solving Puzzles

How to solve puzzles is matter of preference and skill however, Xsudo supports a variety of ways. Cell filters and user's marks are available for solving without candidates. Candidate filters and automatic candidate marking is available for solving with candidates. Going further, Xsudo's logic features extend the use of candidates by allowing them to be logically connected and evaluated. In addition to manual solving, a built-in solver can solve parts or all of a puzzle and explore alternate solutions.

Other features for solving puzzles include:

• Optimizing of solutions.
• Logical assumptions.
• Uniqueness.
• Virtual Sets.

Puzzles

 Features for making or entering puzzles:

• A built-in puzzle maker.
• Cut and paste of puzzles and grids from the internet.
• Cut and paste of logical solutions from the internet.
• A fast manual entry editor.

Organizing Puzzles

 Features for saving, organizing, and viewing puzzles.

• A puzzle file explorer for building puzzle files and directories.
• Visible information lines for every puzzle.
• Active internet links for every puzzle.
• A built in Sudoku methods library.

Getting Started

The following HTML pages are useful for getting started.

Getting Started with Xsudo

·       What is Xsudo?  This file.

· How to Use Xsudo, A look at making and solving puzzles with Xsudo.

· Logic in Xsudo, How works with logic.

Introduction to Sudoku

· Introduction to Sudoku  Puzzles and initial strategies like scanning and hatching.

· Basic Sudoku Solving Methods A description basic Sudoku methods.

Help

Xsudo has several HTML help menus and tutorials that are found in the help menu.

Main Menus An item-by-item description of each menu entry.

Popup Menus An item-by-item description of all popup menu entries.

Tutorials Detailed step-by-step tutorials can be found under the help menu.

The File Explorer Help for using the file explorer, currently under development.

Slightly Human Solver How to use the built in puzzle solver.

Tutorials

The two tutorials recommenced for getting started are:

Tutorial 1 Working with the basic editing functions.

Tutorial 4 A quick start tutorial for editing with the auto completion feature.