Thread: Problem in implementation of Fifteen Puzzle with 2D Arrays

ok, so I'm realllyyyyy stuck at the moment. I started coding something, but I've realised that I've done it all wrong and now I literally have no idea where to start.
I'm not asking anyone to write a program for me, etc. But I do need someone to kick start me and give me some sort of idea on where to even begin.
Here's the website for the actual assignment: Java Programming (CITS1200)

Here's what *little* code I have (Some of it not even related to how the assignment is supposed to be done (Mainly supplying it so that if anyone does decide to help, they may be able to use what I have there and give me some sort of idea what my constructor should look like or something?):

public class FifteenPuzzle  {
 
        //Instance Variables
        public SimpleCanvas sc;
        public int x;
        public int y;
        public int[][] initialGrid;
 
        //Constructor
        public FifteenPuzzle(int[][] initialGrid){
            sc = new SimpleCanvas ();
 
            //Colour
            java.awt.Color tBlue = new java.awt.Color(0,0,255);
            sc.setForegroundColour(tBlue);
            for (int i=0; i < 400;i++) sc.drawLine(0,i,400,i);
 
            // Lines
            java.awt.Color black = new java.awt.Color(0,0,0);
            sc.setForegroundColour(black);
            sc.drawLine(100,0,100,400);
            sc.drawLine(200,0,200,400);
            sc.drawLine(300,0,300,400);
            sc.drawLine(0,100,400,100);
            sc.drawLine(0,200,400,200);
            sc.drawLine(0,300,400,300); 
            //Lines
 
            //Input
            java.awt.Color white = new java.awt.Color(255,255,255);
            sc.setForegroundColour(white);
            for (int j=0; j < x*100;j++) sc.drawLine(j,(y-1)*100,j,y*100);
 
        }
 
        //Methods
        public void moveTile (int x, int y){
        }
 
        private void createTile (int x){ 
            sc.drawLine(xPos,yPos,xPos+100,yPos); 
            sc.drawLine(xPos+100,yPos,xPos+100,yPos+100); 
            sc.drawLine(xPos+100,yPos+100,xPos,yPos+100); 
            sc.drawLine(xPos,yPos+100,xPos,yPos); 
} 
 
 
 
        //public int [][] getCurrentGrid(){
        //}
 
 
    }

I'm even having trouble understanding what exactly the assignment means, in particular the constructor and the moveTile method.

Any help is very much appreciated.

Need help ASAP. Been struggling with it for a few days now, and have only just realised how wrong I was and its due tomorrow (Yay for deadlines)

Regards, Tom.

P.S Heres the code for simpleCanvas if you need it:

/**
 * This is a stripped-down version of the Canvas class from the 
 * BlueJ team, retaining only the most fundamental features.
 * 
 * @author BlueJ team with modifications by Gordon Royle 
 * @version July 2003
 */
 
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
 
public class SimpleCanvas
{
    private JFrame frame;
    private CanvasPane canvas;
    private Graphics2D graphic;
    private Image canvasImage;
    private boolean autoRepaint;
 
 
    /**
     * Creates and displays a SimpleCanvas of the specified size
     * with a white background. The client specifies whether repainting
     * after a drawing command should be manual or automatic.
     * 
     * @param   title title for the window
     * @param   width the desired width of the SimpleCanvas 
     * @param   height the desired height of the SimpleCanvas
     * @param   autoRepaint true for automatic repainting
     * 
     */
 
    public SimpleCanvas(String title, int width, int height, boolean autoRepaint) {
        frame = new JFrame();
        canvas = new CanvasPane();
        frame.setContentPane(canvas);
        frame.setTitle(title);
        canvas.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(width,height));
        frame.pack();
        Dimension size = canvas.getSize();
        canvasImage = canvas.createImage(size.width,size.height);
        graphic = (Graphics2D) canvasImage.getGraphics();
        graphic.setColor(Color.white);
        graphic.fillRect(0,0,size.width,size.height);
        graphic.setColor(Color.black);
        frame.setVisible(true);
        frame.setVisible(true);
	//        frame.show();
        frame.setVisible(true);
        this.autoRepaint = autoRepaint;
    }
 
   /**
     * Creates and displays a SimpleCanvas with a white background and
     * with automatic repainting after drawing commands.
     * 
     * @param   title title for the window
     * @param   width the desired width of the SimpleCanvas 
     * @param   height the desired height of the SimpleCanvas
     * 
     */
 
    public SimpleCanvas(String title, int width, int height) {
        this(title,width,height,true);
    }
 
    /**
     * Creates and displays a SimpleCanvas of size 400x400 with the
     * default title "SimpleCanvas" and with automatic repainting 
     * enabled.
     * 
     * @param   title title for the window
     * @param   width the desired width of the SimpleCanvas 
     * @param   height the desired height of the SimpleCanvas
     * 
     */
 
    public SimpleCanvas() {
        this("SimpleCanvas",400,400);
 
 
        }
 
    /** 
     * Draws a line on the SimpleCanvas between two points.
     * 
     * @param   x1 x-coordinate of the first point
     * @param   y1 y-coordinate of the first point
     * @param   x2 x-coordinate of the second point
     * @param   y2 y-coordinate of the second point
     *
     */
 
    public void drawLine(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2) {
        graphic.drawLine(x1,y1,x2,y2);
        if (autoRepaint) canvas.repaint();
    }
 
    /** 
     * Changes the colour for subsequent 
     * drawing on this SimpleCanvas.
     * 
     * @param   newColour the new drawing colour
     * 
     */
 
    public void setForegroundColour(Color newColour) {
        graphic.setColor(newColour);
    }
 
    /**
     * Gets the colour currently used for 
     * drawing on this SimpleCanvas.
     * 
     */
 
    public Color getForegroundColour() {
        return graphic.getColor();
    }
 
    /**
     * Changes the font for subsequent String
     * drawing on this SimpleCanvas.
     *
     * @param   newFont the new Font
     * 
     */
 
    public void setFont(Font newFont) {
        graphic.setFont(newFont);
    }
 
    /**
     * Gets the font currently used for
     * String drawing on this Canvas
     */
 
    public Font getFont() {
        return graphic.getFont();
    }
 
    /**
     * Draws the specified String at the specified
     * location on this SimpleCanvas
     */
 
    public void drawString(String text, int x, int y) {
        graphic.drawString(text, x, y);
        if (autoRepaint) canvas.repaint();
    }
 
    /**
     * Sets the repaint mode to either manual or automatic.
     * 
     * @param   autoRepaint automatic repainting if this is true
     * 
     */
 
    public void setAutoRepaint(boolean autoRepaint) {
        this.autoRepaint = autoRepaint;
    }
 
 
    /**
     * If this SimpleCanvas does not automatically repaint 
     * after each drawing command, then this method can be
     * used to cause a manual repaint.
     */
 
    public void repaint() {
        canvas.repaint();
    }
 
    /**
     * Causes execution to pause for the specified amount of time.
     * This is usually used to produce animations in an easy
     * manner, by repeatedly drawing, pausing, and then redrawing
     * an object.
     */
 
    public void wait(int millis) {
        try {
            Thread.sleep(millis);
        } catch (InterruptedException ie) {
            System.out.println("Interrruption in SimpleCanvas: "+ie);
        }
    }
 
    public void addMouseListener(MouseListener ml) {
        canvas.addMouseListener(ml);
    }
 
    class CanvasPane extends JPanel {
        public void paint(Graphics g) {
            g.drawImage(canvasImage,0,0,null);
        }
    }
 
}

Originally Posted by bruint

Thanks a ton mate. Honestly, I owe you like a virtual beer or something.

Here you go guys.. I'll get the round in.

Originally Posted by Freaky Chris

Cheers, but I'm under age ....But that looks so refreshing, might have to go the pub now lol!

Chris

Yours is a larger shandy Chris..