Introduction


CrossStar is a program for solving Crossword puzzles and Wordsquares.

A crossword is the familiar puzzle with filled in blocks and clues for interlocking words, like this one

CrossWord

It is also possible to solve crosswords which use 'bars' to separate words, an example is shown below

barrred grid

CrossStar will solve single missing words, words with some letters filled, or any number of interlocking words. It can also solve anagrams. It is easy enough to use CrossStar as a puzzle making program - just use it to solve a blank grid.

A wordsquare is a grid in which all the positions are filled with a letter. The game is to spot all the words in the grid which can be formed by vertical, horizontal or diagonal lines. This is a wordsquare with one solution shown.

wordsquare

It is possible to make CrossStar generate a random wordsquare, generate a wordsquare containing given words, or solve a wordsquare that you enter.

Grids can be saved in various graphics file formats, and can be saved for reloading and later editing.

CrossStar can be run from the start menu or from a short cut on the desktop. Whether these are available depends on the instructions you gave the installation program. Usually CrossStar can be found on the start menu under Programs - DavidPilling.