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The Lexicon of Sudoku
In the world of Sudoku and solving people tend to use different names for exactly the same thing. This glossary provides a reference for all the different names that people use.
This dictionary includes all the terms found at Sudoku Players Forum
C
Cage
Each of the outlined areas in a killer sudoku is referred to as a cage. Each cage has a number in it, which is the sum of all the numbers that appear in that cage.
Some variations use the product of the numbers in the cage.
Keywords: killer sudoku, line, sudoku
Candidate List
See: Candidate Numbers
The list of possible numbers that could go into a cell
Similar to: Candidate Numbers
Keywords: cell
Candidate Numbers
The list of possible numbers that could be put into a cell.
Also known as: Candidate List, Candidates, Pencilmarks
Similar to: Candidate List, Pencilmarks
Keywords: cell
Candidate Removal
See: Eliminate
This is a broader description of any of the advanced techniques that can help in eliminating numbers from a cell.
Keywords: cell
Canonical Form
A sudoku is in it's most canonical form when it has been completely filled in, and there are no empty cells.
Cell
An individual square in a puzzle that you put a number in.
Also known as: Cells, Line
Keywords: square
Clues
The numbers that are already in the grid when you begin.
Also known as: Givens, Initial Numbers
Keywords: grid
Colouring
A technique that involves colouring conjugate cells with different colours, and using the colouring scheme to work out if combinations of numbers are invalid.
Also known as: X-Cycles
Similar to: Multicolouring, Supercolouring
Comprehensive Locked Set
See: Number Chains
This term is used by MadOverlord
Similar to: Number Chains, Number Pairs
Conflict
This term is used by Eppstein and is one of his five solving techniques:
Look for conflicting paths of bilocated or bivalued cells. In the same graph used by the bilocal and repeat rules, if there exist two paths that start with the same cell and digit, and that end with equal digits in different cells of the same row, column, or square, then the start cell must contain the starting digit for otherwise it would cause the end cells to conflict with each other. One or both paths can instead be in the bivalue graph, starting and ending with the other digit than the one for the bilocal path. We also find similar pairs of paths that end in sets of cells that together eliminate all positions for the end digit in another row, column, or square of the grid.
Keywords: bilocal, bivalue, cell, cells, column, digit, eliminate, eppstein, grid, path, repeat, row, square, value
Conjugate
Conjugates are a pair of cells in a row, column or block which are the only two places in that row, column or block where a given number can go. For example, if you look along a row at the candidate numbers, and you find that the number 2 can only appear in two cells on that row, then those two cells form a conjugate pair.
Conjugates are used extensively in techniques like swordfish, fishy cycles, colouring, and other logic techniques.
Also known as: Conjugate Pair, Remote Locked Pair, Strongly Linked, Vertex Groups
Similar to: Bilocal
Keywords: block, candidate, cell, cells, colouring, column, conjugate pair, fishy cycles, given, row, swordfish
Contingency
The factors that limit the placement of a number. For example, already having a number in a row or column may affect where that number could be placed in a block.
For example, it may only be possible to place number X in cell A if cell B is given number Y.
All content © Gaby Vanhegan 2005-2006, puzzles generated by Gaby Vanhegan 2005-2006
