Computer science textbooks use Eight Queens as an introduction to recursion. The problem concerns the placement of eight queens on a chessboard such that no queen attacks another. I remember trying to find a solution on paper but failing miserably. Ten years later, I decide to ‘complete’ my computer science education by implementing a solution … More Eight Queens in Javascript

Recently I wanted to learn about back-tracking as a problem solving strategy. Although I had read about how it could be applied to solve certain types of textbook problem (e.g. Eight Queens, Knights Tour) I had never tried to use the ideas to solve my own problem. An opportunity arose whilst visiting my sister and … More Sudoku Solver in Javascript

As a child I was fascinated by vending machines. The idea that you could pop in a few shiny coins and be presented with a chocolate bar was great. As an adult I wondered what logic was used to determine how a vending machine gave out change. It would have to factor in what coins … More Change Generator in Javascript