Building a Checkers Game in C
Explore the fascinating world of C programming as you embark on the journey of building a checkers game from scratch in C. Whether you're a budding programmer or an experienced developer, this project offers valuable insights into game development and C programming. We're here to help you with your C assignment, providing expert guidance and support throughout your programming endeavors. Join us on this exciting learning adventure, and dive into the intricacies of game design while honing your C programming skills. With our comprehensive resources and assistance, you'll be well-equipped to create your own checkers masterpiece.
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have a basic understanding of C programming concepts, including data structures, functions, and conditional statements. You'll also need a C development environment set up on your computer, which could be a text editor, a C compiler, and a terminal for running your programs.
Sample Code Structure
To get you started, we'll provide an overview of the structure of a checkers game in C. The following code structure represents the key building blocks of a basic checkers game program:
Block 1: Main Function
```cpp
#include "Checkers.h"
#include "TestCode.h"
#include
int main()
{
// Uncomment line below to run automatic input/output checks
// TestCode::runSelectedTest();
// Uncomment line below to play checkers game
Checkers::playCheckers();
// Uncomment test function calls below for manual testing
// TestCode::testRedCheckers(false); //output(01)
// TestCode::testBlackCheckers(false); //output(02)
// TestCode::testRedCheckers(true); //output(03)
// TestCode::testBlackCheckers(true); //output(04)
// TestCode::testRedCrown(); //output(05)
// TestCode::testBlackCrown(); //output(06)
// TestCode::testRedDoubleJump(false); //output(07) optional
// TestCode::testRedDoubleJump(true); //output(08) optional
// TestCode::testBlackDoubleJump(false); //output(09) optional
// TestCode::testBlackDoubleJump(true); //output(10) optional
// TestCode::testRedMultipleJump(); //output(11) optional
// TestCode::testBlackMultipleJump(); //output(12) optional
// TestCode::testInsertionOperatorOverload(); //output(13)
// TestCode::testExtractionOperatorOverload(); //output(14)
}
```
The main function serves as the entry point for your program and allows you to run tests, play the checkers game, or manually test specific functions.
Block 2: Create Checkers Board
```cpp
void Checkers::createBoard()
{
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < 8; j++) {
checkersBoard[i][j].setFile('a' + j);
checkersBoard[i][j].setRank(1 + i);
checkersBoard[i][j].setColor((((i + j) % 2) == 0) ? ' ':'.');
}
}
numCapturedRedPieces = 0;
numCapturedBlackPieces = 0;
Square s;
for (int i = 0; i < 12; i++) {
capturedRedPieces[i] = s;
capturedBlackPieces[i] = s;
}
}
```
This block initializes the checkers board with squares, ranks, files, and colors. It also sets up data structures to keep track of captured pieces.
Block 3: Print Checkers Board
```cpp
void Checkers::printBoard()
{
const std::string WHITE_ROW_SPACER = " |..... ..... ..... ..... | ";
const std::string BLACK_ROW_SPACER = " | ..... ..... ..... .....| ";
const std::string FILE_LABLES = " a b c d e f g h ";
const std::string BORDER = " +---+-----+---+-----+---+-----+---+-----+";
// Print all red captured pieces
std::cout << "Captured: ";
for (int i = 0; i < 12; i++) {
if (capturedRedPieces[i].isOccupied()) {
std::cout << capturedRedPieces[i] << " ";
}
}
std::cout << std::endl << std::endl;
// Print file labels and gameboard border
std::cout << FILE_LABLES << std::endl << BORDER << std::endl;
// Print rows/ranks two at a time (since they alternate starting with black and white squares), higher ranks/rows on top
for (int rank = 7; rank >= 0; rank -= 2)
{
std::cout << WHITE_ROW_SPACER << std::endl;
std::cout << rank + 1 << "|";
// Print files/columns for row starting with white, two at a time (since they alternate between black and white squares)
for (int file = 0; file < 8; file += 2)
{
// Print white square
std::cout << ".." << (checkersBoard[rank][file]) << "..";
// Print black square
std::cout << " " << (checkersBoard[rank][file + 1]) << " ";
}
std::cout << "|" << rank + 1 << std::endl << WHITE_ROW_SPACER << std::endl;
std::cout << BLACK_ROW_SPACER << std::endl;
std::cout << rank << "|";
// Print files/columns for row starting with black, two at a time (since they alternate between black and white squares)
for (int file = 0; file < 8; file += 2)
{
// Print black square
std::cout << " " << (checkersBoard[rank - 1][file]) << " ";
// Print white square
std::cout << ".." << (checkersBoard[rank - 1][file + 1]) << "..";
}
std::cout << "|" << rank << std::endl << BLACK_ROW_SPACER << std::endl;
}
// Print bottom labels and border
std::cout << BORDER << std::endl << FILE_LABLES << std::endl;
// Print all black captured pieces
std::cout << std::endl;
std::cout << "Captured: ";
for (int i = 0; i < 12; i++) {
if (capturedBlackPieces[i].isOccupied()) {
std::cout << capturedBlackPieces[i] << " ";
}
}
std::cout << std::endl << std::endl;
}
```
The `printBoard` function is responsible for displaying the current state of the checkers board with appropriate formatting and visualization.
Block 4: Get Move from User
```cpp
std::string Checkers::getMove(bool blackTurn)
{
std::string moveString;
if (blackTurn) {
std::cout << "Enter Black move (eg. a2b3): ";
} else {
std::cout << "Enter Red move (eg. a2b3): ";
}
std::cin >> moveString;
std::cout << std::endl;
return moveString;
}
```
The `getMove` function prompts the user for a move input and returns it as a string.
Block 5: Make a Move
```cpp
void Checkers::makeMove(bool blackTurn, std::string moveString)
{
// Convert move string to origin and destination rank and file
// Subtracts the ASCII value of '0' from the digit character
char oldFile = moveString[0]; // The first character in the moveString represents the starting file, so oldFile is set to moveString[0].
int oldRank = (moveString[1] - '0'); // The second character in the move string represents the starting rank,
char newFile = moveString[2]; // The third character in the move string represents the ending file, so newFile is set to moveString[2].
int newRank = (moveString[3] - '0'); //The fourth character in the move string represents the ending rank, and it's handled in the same way as the starting rank.
// Pieces can't move beyond the board bounds
if (!checkInBounds(newFile, newRank)) {
std::cout << "makeMove Error! Destination not within boardspace." << std::endl;
return;
}
// Set the square that the user selected
Square* originSquare = &checkersBoard[oldRank - 1][oldFile - 'a'];
Square* destSquare = &checkersBoard[newRank - 1][newFile - 'a'];
if (!originSquare->isOccupied()) {
std::cout << "makeMove ERROR! There is no piece located at File: " << oldFile << " | Rank: " << oldRank << std::endl;
return;
}
*originSquare >> *destSquare; // Move the piece from the origin square to the destination square
}
```
The `makeMove` function processes a move, validates its legality, and updates the board accordingly.
Block 6: Red Player's Move (Placeholder)
```cpp
void Checkers::redMove()
{
// ... (empty function, not implemented)
}
```
This function is a placeholder for the red player's move logic, which should be implemented.
Block 7: Black Player's Move (Placeholder)
```cpp
void Checkers::blackMove()
{
// ... (empty function, not implemented)
}
```
Similar to the previous block, this function is a placeholder for the black player's move logic.
Block 8: Play Checkers Game
```cpp
void Checkers::playCheckers()
{
createBoard(); // Initialize the checkers board
bool blackTurn = false; // Red player starts first
while (!isGameOver())
{
printBoard(); // Display the current board
std::string move = getMove(blackTurn); // Get a move from the current player
if (isValidMove(blackTurn, move))
{
makeMove(blackTurn, move); // Apply the move to the board
blackTurn = !blackTurn; // Switch to the other player's turn
}
else
{
std::cout << "Invalid move. Try again." << std::endl;
}
}
// Game is over, determine the winner
printBoard();
determineWinner();
}
```
The `playCheckers` function is the core of the checkers game, handling game flow, player turns, and win conditions.
Block 9: Check Red Win
```cpp
bool Checkers::checkRedWin()
{
// Implement the logic to check if the red player wins.
// This can include checking if the black player has no valid moves left.
// You need to implement the specific rules for your checkers game.
// Return true if the red player wins, otherwise return false.
return false; // Placeholder, replace with your logic
}
```
The `checkRedWin` function checks whether the red player has won by capturing all black pieces.
Block 10: Check Black Win
```cpp
bool Checkers::checkBlackWin()
{
// Implement the logic to check if the black player wins.
// This can include checking if the red player has no valid moves left.
// You need to implement the specific rules for your checkers game.
// Return true if the black player wins, otherwise return false.
return false; // Placeholder, replace with your logic
}
```
Similarly, the `checkBlackWin` function checks whether the black player has won by capturing all red pieces.
Block 11: Increment Red Captured Pieces
```cpp
int Checkers::incrementNumCapturedRedPieces()
{
// Implement the logic to increment the count of red captured pieces.
// This function is typically called when a black piece captures a red piece.
// Increment the count of red captured pieces.
numCapturedRedPieces++;
// Return the updated count of red captured pieces.
return numCapturedRedPieces;
}
```
This function increments the count of red pieces that have been captured.
Block 12: Increment Black Captured Pieces
```cpp
int Checkers::incrementNumCapturedBlackPieces()
{
// Implement the logic to increment the count of black captured pieces.
// This function is typically called when a red piece captures a black piece.
// Increment the count of black captured pieces.
numCapturedBlackPieces++;
// Return the updated count of black captured pieces.
return numCapturedBlackPieces;
}
```
Similarly, this function increments the count of black pieces that have been captured.
Block 13: Check In Bounds
```cpp
bool Checkers::checkInBounds(char newFile, int newRank)
{
// Implement the logic to check if a move (newFile, newRank) is within the bounds of the checkers board.
// Assuming the board size is 8x8, you can check if newFile is a valid file ('a' to 'h') and if newRank is a valid rank (1 to 8).
bool validFile = (newFile >= 'a' && newFile <= 'h');
bool validRank = (newRank >= 1 && newRank <= 8);
// If both the file and rank are valid, the move is within bounds.
if (validFile && validRank) {
return true;
}
// If either the file or rank is invalid, the move is out of bounds.
return false;
}
```
The `checkInBounds` function checks if a move is within the boundaries of the checkers board.
Block 14: Checkers Piece Constructor
```cpp
CheckersPiece::CheckersPiece()
{
// Implement the constructor for the CheckersPiece class.
// Initialize the properties of a checkers piece, such as its type, color, and status.
type = EMPTY; // Set the piece type to EMPTY initially.
color = NONE; // Set the piece color to NONE initially.
isKing = false; // The piece is not a king initially.
}
```
This constructor initializes a `CheckersPiece` object.
Block 15: Checkers Piece Parameterized Constructor
```cpp
CheckersPiece::CheckersPiece(char symbol, char file, int rank) : symbol(symbol), file(file), rank(rank)
{
// Implement the parameterized constructor for the CheckersPiece class.
// Initialize the properties of a checkers piece based on the provided parameters.
switch (symbol)
{
case 'r':
type = REGULAR;
color = RED;
isKing = false;
break;
case 'R':
type = KING;
color = RED;
isKing = true;
break;
case 'b':
type = REGULAR;
color = BLACK;
isKing = false;
break;
case 'B':
type = KING;
color = BLACK;
isKing = true;
break;
case '.':
type = EMPTY;
color = NONE;
isKing = false;
break;
default:
type = UNKNOWN;
color = NONE;
isKing = false;
}
}
```
This parameterized constructor takes symbol, file, and rank as parameters to create a `CheckersPiece` object.
Block 16: Checkers Piece Deconstructor
```cpp
CheckersPiece::~CheckersPiece()
{
// Implement the destructor for the CheckersPiece class.
// This is typically used for cleanup when the object is destroyed.
// In this case, there may not be any specific cleanup needed.
}
The destructor for the `CheckersPiece` class.
Block 17: Main Test Function
```cpp
void TestCode::mainTest()
{
// Implement the mainTest function to run your test cases.
// You can write test cases to verify the functionality of your Checkers game code.
// This function is where you can test various aspects of your code.
}
```
The `mainTest` function runs various test cases to validate the functionality of the checkers game.
Block 18: Validate Test Output
```cpp
void TestCode::validateTestOutput()
{
// Implement the validateTestOutput function to compare the actual output
// of your functions with the expected output for each test case.
// You can use this function to assert that your Checkers game code produces the
// correct results as expected.
}
```
This function is responsible for validating test outputs to ensure they match the expected results.
Block 19: Perform Tests
```cpp
void TestCode::performTests()
{
// Implement the performTests function to execute a series of test cases
// that assess the correctness of your Checkers game functions.
// Each test case should include function calls and comparisons of the actual
// output with the expected output. You can use assertions or other methods to
// determine whether your game functions work as intended.
}
```
This function performs various tests, including board creation, piece movement, and other aspects of the checkers game.
Conclusion
Creating a checkers game in C is a challenging yet rewarding project that helps you apply your C programming skills to a practical problem. By understanding the structure and components of the game, you can embark on the exciting journey of developing your own checkers game in C. This guide is just a starting point, and you can expand upon it to create a more feature-rich and engaging game. As you continue to refine and expand your game, you'll not only gain a deeper understanding of C programming but also have the opportunity to add innovative features and improvements, making your checkers game a standout project.