#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

// begins program execution
int main()
{
   int side;  // holds size of side of square
   int i,j;   // holds counters; i = row and j = column
   
   cout << "Input the size of a side of a square (1-20): "; // asks user for size of the side
   cin >> side; 
   
              // for top row
   for ( i = 0; i < side; ++i)
    {
       cout << "*";
    }
 
              // for middle rows subtract 2 to adjust for first and last row
    for ( i = 0; i < ( side - 2 ); ++i)
    {
       cout << "*";
              // subtract 2 to adjust for first and last columns
       for ( j = 0; j < ( side - 2 ); ++j)
       {
          cout << " ";
       }
       cout << "*" << endl;
    }

	          // for bottom row
         for ( i = 0; i < side; ++i)
		 {
       cout << "*";
		 }
    cout << endl;

	return 0;

} // end main function

               // for top row
   for ( i = 0; i < side; ++i)
    {
       cout << "*";
    }
 
    cout << endl; // need a newline

              // for middle rows subtract 2 to adjust for first and last row
    for ( i = 0; i < ( side - 2 ); ++i)
    {