Simple 2D rubiks cube algorithm.
I'm trying to write a program that transforms a user given pattern into a standard pattern as follows:
Standard:
1 2 3 4
8 7 6 5
(imagine each number as a different colored square on a board.)
There's three different transform operations that can be made:
A = Switch rows,
B = Rotate each row right one step,
C = Rotate the mid four "squares/numbers" clockwise one step.
So, if the user enters "2 6 8 4 5 7 3 1", the starting position becomes;
2 6 8 4
1 3 7 5
from which the computer program attempts to transform it into the standard form. In this case, the moves required are: BCABCCB.
Now, the issue for me is not to write it in C, but rather to come up with a suitable algorithm for solving the puzzle. I've tried a few methods but they didn't work, so I'm hoping someone could perhaps give me a hint?
Thanks in advance.