Thread: Method to print n x n box

Stuck on this, need to create a method that prints n x n box:

****
*  *
*  *
****

The spaces between the middle two stars is two.

Here's my code:

    public static void starBox(int n)
    {
        for (int row = 1; row <= n; row++)
        {
            for (int col = 1; col <= row; col++)
            {
                if (row == 1 || row == 4)
                {
                    System.out.print("* ");
                }
                else
                {
                    System.out.print("* ");
            }
            System.out.println();
        }
    }
}
}

But I get this:

* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
*

Can anyone give me hints or tips as to what I'm doing wrong? Thanks!

What is the value of row going to be the first time through your loop? So what will that do to the inner loop? What about the second time through the loop?

Originally Posted by HeroFlame

4 throughout.

Really? Did you test that assumption? I suggest you run this program through a debugger, or at least add some print statements to figure out what's going on. Recommended reading: http://www.javaprogrammingforums.com...t-println.html