AI Sudoku Solver

A modern React application that compares A* and Beam Search algorithms for solving Sudoku puzzles with real-time visualization and performance analytics.

Features

• 🧠 Real Python AI Algorithms: Uses actual A* and Beam Search implementations
• 🎨 Modern UI: Beautiful dark/light mode with glass morphism effects
• 📊 Real-time Visualization: Watch algorithms solve puzzles step-by-step
• 📈 Performance Analytics: Compare algorithm efficiency and success rates
• 🎯 Multiple Difficulties: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Impossible levels
• 🔄 Live Step Tracking: See each move highlighted on the puzzle grid

Setup Instructions

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+
• Python 3.8+
• npm or yarn

Installation

1. Clone and install dependencies: ```bash npm install ```

2. Set up Python environment (optional but recommended): ```bash python -m venv venv source venv/bin/activate # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate pip install -r requirements.txt ```

3. Run the development server: ```bash npm run dev ```

4. Open your browser: Navigate to http://localhost:3000

How It Works

Python Integration

The application uses a hybrid approach:

1. Frontend: Modern React with TypeScript and Tailwind CSS
2. Backend API: Next.js API route (/api/solve) that calls Python scripts
3. Python Algorithms: Real A* and Beam Search implementations in /algorithms/
4. Fallback: JavaScript simulation if Python execution fails

Algorithm Files

• algorithms/astar_solver.py - A* algorithm implementation
• algorithms/beam_search_solver.py - Beam Search algorithm implementation
• algorithms/solver_api.py - API bridge between React and Python

API Usage

```typescript // Call the Python algorithms const response = await fetch('/api/solve', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }, body: JSON.stringify({ grid: sudokuGrid, algorithm: 'astar' // or 'beam' }) }) ```

Algorithm Comparison

A* Algorithm

• ✅ Optimal solutions guaranteed
• ✅ High success rate
• ❌ Higher memory usage
• ❌ Slower execution time

Beam Search

• ✅ Fast execution
• ✅ Memory efficient
• ❌ May not find optimal solution
• ❌ Lower success rate on hard puzzles

Troubleshooting

Python Not Found

If you get Python execution errors:

1. Ensure Python 3.8+ is installed and in your PATH
2. Try changing python3 to python in app/api/solve/route.ts
3. Check that the algorithms folder has proper permissions

Algorithm Fallback

The app automatically falls back to JavaScript simulation if Python fails, so the UI will always work.

Development

Adding New Algorithms

1. Create new Python solver in /algorithms/
2. Update solver_api.py to handle the new algorithm
3. Add algorithm option to the React frontend

Customizing Visualization

• Modify animation timing in components/sudoku-game.tsx
• Adjust step highlighting in the getCellClassName function
• Update color schemes in app/globals.css

Performance Notes

• Python algorithms run server-side for security
• Results are cached for identical puzzles
• Visualization speed can be adjusted in the code
• Memory usage scales with puzzle difficulty

License

MIT License - feel free to use and modify!