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.
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: http://java.sun.com/JDK-1.0/
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).