// This program solves the classic "8 queens" problem using recursive // backtracking. import java.util.*; public class Queens { public static void main(String[] args) { giveIntro(); Scanner console = new Scanner(System.in); System.out.print("What size board do you want to use? "); int size = console.nextInt(); System.out.println(); Board b = new Board(size); solve(b); } // post: explains program to user public static void giveIntro() { System.out.println("This program solves the classic '8 queens'"); System.out.println("problem, placing queens on a chessboard so"); System.out.println("that no two queens threaten each other."); System.out.println(); } // pre : queens have been safely placed in columns 1 through (col - 1) // post: recursively searchs the board for a solution starting at col, // returning true iff such a solution occurs and storing the // solution in board if it exists private static boolean explore(Board b, int col) { if (col > b.size()) return true; else { for (int row = 1; row <= b.size(); row++) if (b.safe(row, col)) { b.place(row, col); for (int i = 1; i < col; i++) System.out.print(" "); System.out.println("Q in row " + row + " of col " + col); if (explore(b, col + 1)) return true; b.remove(row, col); } return false; } } // post: searches for a solution to the 8 queens problem with this // board, reporting result. public static void solve(Board solution) { if (!explore(solution, 1)) System.out.println("No solution."); else { System.out.println("One solution is as follows:"); solution.print(); } } }