***** ** ** * * * ** ** *****
/**
* C program to print hollow square star pattern with diagonal
* Programmer: atnyla
*/
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
int i, j, N;
/* Input number of rows from user */
printf("Enter number of rows: ");
scanf("%d", &N);
/* Iterate over each row */
for(i=1; i<=N; i++)
{
/* Iterate over each column */
for(j=1; j<=N; j++)
{
/*
* Print star for,
* first row (i==1) or
* last row (i==N) or
* first column (j==1) or
* last column (j==N) or
* row equal to column (i==j) or
* column equal to N-row (j==N-i+1)
*/
if(i==1 || i==N || j==1 || j==N || i==j || j==(N - i + 1))
{
printf("*");
}
else
{
printf(" ");
}
}
/* Move to the next line */
printf("\n");
}
return 0;
}<pre>
Enter number of rows: 5
*****
** **
* * *
** **
*****
</pre>
Basic C programming, If else, Logical operator, For loop, Nested loop
***** ** ** * * * ** ** *****
The above pattern is a simple hollow square star pattern if we remove diagonal. It consists of N rows and columns (where N is the number of rows to print). For each row stars are printed in four conditions.
N-i+1 (where i is current row number).Step by step descriptive logic to print hollow square star pattern with diagonal.
for(i=1; i<=N; i++).for(j=1; j<=N; j++).N - i + 1 otherwise print space.First read the algorithm, then study the program code line by line. After that, compare the code with the output and finally go through the explanation. This approach helps learners understand both the logic and the implementation properly.
After understanding this example, try to rewrite the same program without looking at the code. Then change some values or logic and run it again. This helps improve confidence and keeps learners engaged on the page for longer.