Thread: sudoku puzzle

I am writing a program that will solve the sudoku puzzle I am using a 2d array instead of a 3d array to set up the grid and am wondering, because I did this, would the best way to test for duplicates in a subgrid be setting up a 3x3 matrix and test within that. Or is there another way that I cant think of that I could research.

This is homework so plz do not post any answers for me(cant believe I am writing This). just ideas that I can try to figure out on my own. I am just starting out and would like to legitimately learn this language. thx.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudoku
2. Scroll down to the computer solutions
3. pick a method
4. pick another method and compare with 3.

my professor has already specified to use the bute force method.
compare the next possible number entry with their row and column respectively then test the sub grid pertaining to that cell. Im just wondering if their is a different way otherthat a matrix that would cut down on backtracking.

There is no backtracking in brute force - you simply try every possible combination and see what works.

Are you wondering whether
int game[9][3][3];
is better/worse than
int game[9][9];