We Keep Coding

Thrust method for an asteroids duplicate Java

I have a project that is similar to the Asteroids game. The game contains a thrust method, which like the name suggests thrusts the spaceship. The method is not thrusting in the direction I am asking to. The spaceship will rotate with the left and right keys and will thrust with the space key.
private static final double THRUST_VALUE = 3;
private static final int MAX_SPEED = 4;
private int lives;
private int rotationSpeed;
public void thrust() {
double[] newVelocity = new double[2];
double[] oldVelocity = getVelocity();
newVelocity[0] = oldVelocity[0] - THRUST_VALUE * Math.sin(getRotation()*Math.PI/180);
newVelocity[1] = oldVelocity[1] - THRUST_VALUE * Math.cos(getRotation()*Math.PI/180);
System.out.println(newVelocity[0]);
System.out.println(newVelocity[1]);
if (newVelocity[0] >= MAX_SPEED || newVelocity[0] <= -MAX_SPEED){
newVelocity[0] = MAX_SPEED;
}
if (newVelocity[1] >= MAX_SPEED || newVelocity[1] <= -MAX_SPEED){
newVelocity[1] = MAX_SPEED;
}
setVelocity(newVelocity);
The properties for the velocity and the rotation are inherited from a Polygon class. Here are the properties being declared:
private Point[] shape; // An array of points.
private Point position; // The offset mentioned above.
private double rotation; // Zero degrees is due east.
The code runs fine, but the logic of the code is off and it is not listening to the position, but I don't know what the issue is. All input is appreciated.

Constructor casting?

In the constructor, how would I represent the top and bottom Diagram parameters with a char[][]?
Casting doesn't work.
public CombineLeftRight​(Diagram left, Diagram right, int animationType)
A Constructor that initializes the animationType with the provided parameter value and initializes the board with the diagram resulting from calling TwoDimArrayUtil.appendLeftRight() on the boards associated with the left and right diagrams.
public static char[][] appendLeftRight(char[][] left, char[][] right) {
int numRows = (left.length > right.length) ? left.length : right.length;
int numCols = left[0].length + right[0].length;
char[][] retArray = new char[numRows][numCols];
TwoDimArrayUtil.copyArray(retArray, left, 0, 0);
TwoDimArrayUtil.copyArray(retArray, right, 0, left[0].length);
return retArray;
}
Thank you in advance!
public interface Diagram {
/**
* Returns a two-dimensional array of characters representing a diagram.
*
* #return
*/
public char[][] getBoard();
/**
* Returns the next two-dimensional array of characters to display during an
* animation.
*
* #return
*/
public char[][] nextAnimationStep();
/**
* Number of rows associated with the diagram.
*
* #return
*/
public int getNumberRows();
/**
* Number of columns associated with the diagram.
*
* #return
*/
public int getNumberCols();
}

I am guessing that if your constructor is of this format:
// Constructor
public CombineLeftRight​(Diagram left, Diagram right, int animationType){
...
}
Then you need to convert each Diagram into a 2D array of char - something along the lines of
char[][] left2dArr = left.getBoard();
char[][] right2dArr = right.getBoard();
So that you can invoke the static method as you mentioned... like
TwoDimArrayUtil.appendLeftRight(left2dArr, right2dArr);
// or simply
TwoDimArrayUtil.appendLeftRight(left.getBoard(), right.getBoard());
putting it all together (still guessing here as there is not enough code in your question to know for sure), your constructor could look like:
// Constructor
public CombineLeftRight​(Diagram left, Diagram right, int animationType){
...
TwoDimArrayUtil.appendLeftRight(left.getBoard(), right.getBoard());
...
}

why is "getWidth()" returning 0 for me?

I'm asking this because I'd like to know why it is - as opposed to what I ought to do to circumvent the problem. I really just want a technical explanation of why getWidth() in the math-operation (assigned to currentXMargin) isn't returning a value. I GLabel'd testValue1 and testValue2; testValue1 obviously returns the correct pixel amount, whereas testValue2 returns -210 (half the pyramid based of course); it needs to say 167 (as it does for testValue1 where I hard-code the formula in). What's more, when I try to use currentXMargin in the GRect constructor, it also fails to work there, returning the same resuts (-210 if I use the variable, and the correct amount if I just hard-code the formula in), and the pyramid base is halfway off screen to the left.
So why isn't getWidth returning a value to the operation in the currentXMargin assignment (below the run method)?
import acm.graphics.*;
import acm.program.*;
import java.awt.*;
public class Pyramid extends GraphicsProgram {
/** Width of each brick in pixels */
private static final int BRICK_WIDTH = 30;
/** Height of each brick in pixels */
private static final int BRICK_HEIGHT = 12;
/** Number of bricks in the base of the pyramid */
private static final int BRICKS_IN_BASE = 14;
public void run() {
double testValue1 = (getWidth() - (BRICKS_IN_BASE * BRICK_WIDTH))/2;;
GLabel test = new GLabel("width: "+testValue1,0,10);
add(test);
double testValue2 = currentXMargin;
GLabel test2 = new GLabel("width: "+testValue2,0,20);
add(test2);
//doRow();
}//run
private int brickCount = BRICKS_IN_BASE;
private double currentXMargin = (getWidth() - (BRICKS_IN_BASE * BRICK_WIDTH))/2;
private double currentYMargin;
GRect brick[] = new GRect[14];
private void doRow(){
for(int i=0;i<brickCount;i++){
brick[i] = new GRect(currentXMargin,10,BRICK_WIDTH,BRICK_HEIGHT);
add(brick[i]);
currentXMargin += BRICK_WIDTH;
}
currentYMargin -= BRICK_HEIGHT;
brickCount -= 1;
}//doRow
}//class

0 is the default value for numeric types until they get initialized. You call getWidth() during initialization of your instance fields, i.e. at a time when the width simply has not been initialized yet.

Tic Tac Toe Java Program - CPU not responding

I've been working on this program for a couple weeks now, adding components to an applet in order to output a simple tic tac toe game. I've gotten some of it to work, but as of now, when you run, all it does is that you click it once, the CPU projects its mark in the upper left corner, and then you can click anywhere else and it automatically says you win. I can't get the CPU to keep playing. I don't expect anyone to tell me what to do, but I'm just confused as to which method I need to work on in order to get the CPU to respond. My professor has left some very helpful pseudocode, but I still don't quite understand. I've been working with the method "gameEnd," checking for winners horizontally, vertically and diagonally to see if that's the source to getting the game to continue beyond just two marks, but it's not working. Anyone got any suggestions? Thanks.
import java.awt.Color;
import java.awt.Event;
import java.awt.Font;
import java.awt.Graphics;
import java.util.Random;
public class TicTacToe extends java.applet.Applet {
// Ignore this constant
private static final long serialVersionUID = 1942709821640345256L;
// You can change this boolean constant to control debugging log output
private static final boolean DEBUGGING = false;
// Constants
// Size of one side of the board in pixels
private static final int BOARD_SIZE_PIXELS = 600;
// Number of squares on one side of the board
private static final int SQUARES = 3;
// Diameter of the circle drawn in each square
private static final int CIRCLE_WIDTH = 90;
// Colors to be used in the game
private static final Color BACKGROUND_COLOR = Color.WHITE;
private static final Color SQUARE_BORDER_COLOR = Color.BLACK;
private static final Color GAME_OVER_MESSAGE_COLOR = Color.BLACK;
private static final Color HUMAN_COLOR = Color.RED;
private static final Color HUMAN_WINNING_COLOR = Color.MAGENTA;
private static final Color CPU_COLOR = Color.BLUE;
private static final Color CPU_WINNING_COLOR = Color.CYAN;
// Status constant values for the game board
private static final int EMPTY = 0;
private static final int HUMAN = 1;
private static final int HUMAN_WINNING = 2;
private static final int CPU = -1;
private static final int CPU_WINNING = -2;
// String displayed when the game ends
private static final String GAME_WIN_MESSAGE = "You win! Click to play again.";
private static final String GAME_LOSE_MESSAGE = "You lose......Click to play again.";
private static final String GAME_DRAW_MESSAGE = "No one wins? Click to play again...";
// Instance variables that control the game
// Whether or not the user just clicked the mouse
private boolean mouseClicked = false;
// Whether or not to start the game again
private boolean restart = false;
// Whether or not the CPU should start playing a move.
// USED ONLY WHEN THE CPU PLAYS FIRST!
private boolean onFirstMove = false;
// The column and row of the SQUARE the user clicked on
private int xMouseSquare; // column
private int yMouseSquare; // row
// The width (and height) of a single game square
private int squareWidth = BOARD_SIZE_PIXELS / SQUARES;
// An array to hold square status values on the board.
// The status values can be EMPTY, HUMAN, CPU or other values
private int[][] gameBoard;
// The column and row of the SQUARE the CPU player will move on
private int xCPUMove;
private int yCPUMove;
// Add the rest of your instance variables here, if you need any. (You won't
// need to, but you may if you want to.)
// Ignore these instance variables
// CPUinMove represents if the CPU is thinking (generating the CPU move).
// If it is true, it means the CPUMove() method is running and no new move
// should be added
private boolean CPUinMove;
// Methods that you need to write:
/*
* Pre: x and y are x-coordinate and y-coordinate where the user just
* clicks. squareWidth is the width (and height) of a single game square.
*
* Post: xMouseSquare and yMouseSquare are set to be the column and row
* where the user just clicked on (depending on x and y).
*
* Hint: You need only two statements in this method.
*/
// Setting MouseSquare equal to x and y divided by the Square Width to create a location for
// the user after clicking
private void setMouseSquare(int x, int y) {
//
xMouseSquare = x/squareWidth;
yMouseSquare = y/squareWidth;
}
/*
* Pre: SQUARES is an int that holds the number of game squares along one
* side of the game board. xSquare is an int such that 0 <= xSquare <
* SQUARES. CIRCLE_WIDTH is an int that holds the diameter of the circle to
* be drawn in the center of a square. squareWidth is an int that holds the
* width and height in pixels of a single game square.
*
* Post: Return the correct x-coordinate (in pixels) of the left side of the
* circle centered in a square in the column xSquare.
*
* Hint: This method should be very simple. What you need to do is to find
* the right equation.
*/
private int getIconDisplayXLocation(int xSquare) {
// This line is an example of using DEBUGGING variable
if (DEBUGGING) {
System.out.println("The input that getIconDisplayXLocation() receives is: " + xSquare);
}
// equation that returns the correct variable in the column xSquare
return squareWidth * xSquare + (squareWidth - CIRCLE_WIDTH)/2;
}
/*
* Pre: SQUARES is an int that holds the number of game squares along one
* side of the game board. ySquare is an int such that 0 <= ySquare <
* SQUARES. CIRCLE_WIDTH is an int that holds the diameter of the circle to
* be drawn in the center of a square. squareWidth is an int that holds the
* width and height in pixels of a single game square.
*
* Post: Return the correct y-coordinate (in pixels) of the top of the
* circle centered in a square in the row ySquare.
*
* Hint: This method should be very simple. What you need to do is to find
* the right equation.
*/
private int getIconDisplayYLocation(int ySquare) {
// This line is an example of using DEBUGGING variable
if (DEBUGGING) {
System.out.println("The input that getIconDisplayYLocation() receives is: " + ySquare);
}
// equation that returns the correct variable in the column ySquare
return squareWidth * ySquare + (squareWidth - CIRCLE_WIDTH)/2;
}
/*
* The instance variable gameBoard will be created and initialized
*
* Pre: SQUARES is set to an int. gameBoard is a 2-dimensional array type
* variable that holds the status of current game board. Each value in the
* array represents a square on the board
*
* Post: gameBoard must be assigned a new 2-dimensional array. Every square
* of gameBoard should be initialized to EMPTY.
*
* Hint: A loop.
*/
private void buildBoard() {
// Setting the two methods equal to local variables, x and y
int x = xMouseSquare;
int y = yMouseSquare;
// This line creates the gameBoard array. You must write several more
// lines to initialize all its values to EMPTY
// Write game board using the equation of three across and down for each column
// Constructs a 3 by 3 array of integers for the board
gameBoard = new int[3][3];
// Initialize variables i and j, set equal to 0; this establishes a connection for loop
for (x = 0; x < 3; x++) {
for (y = 0; y < 3; y++) {
gameBoard[x][y] = EMPTY;
}
}
}
/*
* Returns whether the most recently clicked square is a legal choice in the
* game.
*
* Pre: gameBoard is a 2-dimensional array type variable that holds the
* status of current game board. xSquare and ySquare represent the column
* and row of the most recently clicked square.
*
* Post: Returns true if and only if the square is a legal choice. If the
* square is empty on current game board, it is legal and the method shall
* return true; if it is taken by either human or CPU or it is not a square
* on current board, it is illegal and the method shall return false.
*
* Hint: Should be simple but think carefully to cover all cases.
*/
private boolean legalSquare(int xSquare, int ySquare) {
if (gameBoard[xSquare][ySquare] == EMPTY)
return true;
else return false;
}
/*
* Pre: gameBoard is an array that holds the current status of the game
* board. xSquare and ySquare represent the column and row of the most
* recently clicked square. player represent the current player (HUMAN or
* CPU). This method is always called after checking legalSquare().
*
* Post: Set the square as taken by current player on the game board if the
* square is empty.
*
* Hint: Very simple.
*/
private void setMovePosition(int xSquare, int ySquare, int player) {
player = HUMAN;
player = CPU;
this.xMouseSquare = xSquare;
this.yMouseSquare = ySquare;
}
/*
* Check if HUMAN or CPU wins the game.
*
* Pre: gameBoard is an array to hold square status values on the board. The
* status values can be EMPTY, HUMAN, CPU or other values.
*
* Post: The method will return true if and only if a player wins the game.
* Winning a game means there is at least one row, one column, or one
* diagonal that is taken by the same player. The method does not need to
* indicate who wins because if it is implemented correctly, the winner must
* be the one who just made a move.
*
* Hint: Complicated method. Use loops to shorten your code. Think about how
* to represent "a player takes 3 squares in a row/column/diagonal".
*/
private boolean gameEnd() {
// Setting local variables
int i = 0;
int x = xMouseSquare;
int y = yMouseSquare;
int sw = squareWidth;
int[][] g = gameBoard;
// Checking for a winner
// Checking columns
for (y = 0; y < 3; y++) {
for (x = 0; x < 3; x++) {
i = g[x][y] + i;
}
}
{
// Checking rows
for (x = 0; x < 3; x++) {
for (y = 0; y < 3; y++) {
i = g[x][y] + i;
}
}
}
// Checking first diagonal
{
for (x = 0; x < 3; x++) {
g[x][x] = 3;
}
}
for (x = 1; x < 3; x++) {
g[x][x] = 3;
}
for (x = 2; x < 3; x++) {
g[x][x] = 3;
}
// Checking second diagonal
for (y = 0; y < 3; y++) {
g[y][2 - y] = 3;
}
for (y = 1; y < 3; y++) {
g[y][2 - y] = 3;
}
for (y = 2; y < 3; y++) {
g[y][2 - y] = 3;
}
return true;
}
/*
* Check if the game ends as a draw.
*
* Pre: gameBoard is an array to hold square status values on the board. The
* status values can be EMPTY, HUMAN, CPU or other values. This method is
* always called after gameEnd().
*
* Post: The method will return true if and only if all squares on the game
* board are taken by HUMAN or CPU players (no EMPTY squares left).
*
* Hint: Should be simple. Use loops.
*/
// Value of...
private boolean gameDraw() {
if (squareWidth == (3^2 - 1)) {
}
return true;
}
/*
* Marks circles on the line on which a player wins.
*
* Pre: g is Graphics object that is ready to draw on. HUMAN_WINNING_COLOR
* and CPU_WINNING_COLOR are both Color objects that represent the color to
* show when HUMAN/CPU wins. gameBoard is gameBoard is an array to hold
* square status values on the board. The status values can be EMPTY, HUMAN,
* CPU or other values.
*
* Post: ALL the row(s)/column(s)/diagonal(s) on which a player wins will be
* marked as the special color.
*
* Hint: You must draw a new circle with the special color (to replace the
* old circle) on the square if the square belongs to a winning
* row/column/diagonal. You can change gameBoard because the board will be
* reset after displaying the winning line. You can use helper methods
* (existing ones or your own) to finish this method. Pay attention that
* many functions in this method is similar to gameEnd(). You should think
* about reusing code.
*
* Hint2: This method is not necessary for the game logic. You don't have to
* start it early. Start when you know everything else is correct.
*/
private void markWinningLine(Graphics g) {
// TODO
}
/*
* Generates the next square where the CPU plays a move.
*
* Pre: gameBoard is an array to hold square status values on
* the board. The status values can be EMPTY, HUMAN, CPU or other values.
*
* Post: Set xCPUMove and yCPUMove to represent the column and the row which
* CPU plans to play a move on. The respective square MUST BE EMPTY! It will
* cause a logical error if this method returns a square that is already
* taken!
*
* Hint: Don't start too early -- currently this method works (though
* naively). Make sure that everything else works before touching this
* method!
*/
private void CPUMove() {
// TODO
// The following block gives a naive solution -- it finds the first
// empty square and play a move on it. You can use this method to test
// other methods in the beginning. However, you must replace this block
// with your own algorithms eventually.
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++) {
if (gameBoard[i][j] == 0) {
xCPUMove = i;
yCPUMove = j;
return;
}
}
}
}
/* Put any helper methods you wish to add here. */
/* You will not need to change anything below this line. */
/*
* DO NOT change this method.
*
* Set the game board to show a new, blank game.
*/
private void wipeBoard(Graphics g) {
g.setColor(BACKGROUND_COLOR);
g.fillRect(0, 0, BOARD_SIZE_PIXELS, BOARD_SIZE_PIXELS);
}
/*
* DO NOT change this method.
*
* Displays a circle on g, of the given color, in the center of the given
* square.
*/
private void displayHit(Graphics g, Color color, int xSquare, int ySquare) {
g.setColor(color);
g.fillOval(getIconDisplayXLocation(xSquare),
getIconDisplayYLocation(ySquare), CIRCLE_WIDTH, CIRCLE_WIDTH);
}
/*
* DO NOT change this method.
*
* This method handles mouse clicks. You will not need to call it.
*/
#Override
public boolean mouseDown(Event e, int xMouse, int yMouse) {
if (isClickable()) {
mouseClicked = true;
setMouseSquare(xMouse, yMouse);
}
repaint();
return true;
}
/*
* DO NOT change this method.
*
* This method handles drawing the board. You will not need to call it.
*/
#Override
public void update(Graphics g) {
paint(g);
}
/*
* DO NOT change this method.
*
* Draws the border between game squares onto canvas. Also, draws the moves
* that are already made.
*/
private void displayGame(Graphics canvas) {
canvas.setColor(SQUARE_BORDER_COLOR);
for (int i = 0; i < BOARD_SIZE_PIXELS; i += squareWidth) {
for (int j = 0; j < BOARD_SIZE_PIXELS; j += squareWidth) {
canvas.drawRect(i, j, squareWidth, squareWidth);
}
}
for (int i = 0; i < SQUARES; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < SQUARES; j++) {
switch (gameBoard[i][j]) {
case HUMAN:
case HUMAN_WINNING:
displayHit(canvas, HUMAN_COLOR, i, j);
break;
case CPU:
case CPU_WINNING:
displayHit(canvas, CPU_COLOR, i, j);
break;
default:
break;
}
}
}
}
/*
* DO NOT change this method.
*
* This method relays information about the availability of mouse clicking
* in the game. You will not need to call it.
*/
private boolean isClickable() {
return !CPUinMove;
}
/*
* DO NOT change the contents this method.
*
* If this method is changed to public void paint(Graphics canvas), it will
* execute the program with the CPU-first order.
*
* This method is like the "main" method (but for applets). You will not
* need to call it. It contains most of the game logic.
*/
// #Override
public void paint(Graphics canvas) {
displayGame(canvas);
if (mouseClicked) {
if (onFirstMove) {
CPUMove();
setMovePosition(xCPUMove, yCPUMove, CPU);
displayHit(canvas, CPU_COLOR, xCPUMove, yCPUMove);
onFirstMove = false;
} else {
if (restart) {
wipeBoard(canvas);
setUpGame();
repaint();
} else if (legalSquare(xMouseSquare, yMouseSquare)) {
setMovePosition(xMouseSquare, yMouseSquare, HUMAN);
displayHit(canvas, HUMAN_COLOR, xMouseSquare, yMouseSquare);
if (gameEnd()) {
markWinningLine(canvas);
canvas.setFont(new Font("SansSerif", Font.PLAIN, 30));
canvas.setColor(GAME_OVER_MESSAGE_COLOR);
canvas.drawString(GAME_WIN_MESSAGE, squareWidth / 2,
squareWidth);
restart = true;
} else {
CPUinMove = true;
CPUMove();
setMovePosition(xCPUMove, yCPUMove, CPU);
displayHit(canvas, CPU_COLOR, xCPUMove, yCPUMove);
CPUinMove = false;
if (gameEnd()) {
markWinningLine(canvas);
canvas
.setFont(new Font("SansSerif", Font.PLAIN,
30));
canvas.setColor(GAME_OVER_MESSAGE_COLOR);
canvas.drawString(GAME_LOSE_MESSAGE,
squareWidth / 2, squareWidth);
restart = true;
} else if (gameDraw()) {
canvas
.setFont(new Font("SansSerif", Font.PLAIN,
30));
canvas.setColor(GAME_OVER_MESSAGE_COLOR);
canvas.drawString(GAME_DRAW_MESSAGE,
squareWidth / 2, squareWidth);
restart = true;
}
}
}
}
mouseClicked = false;
}
}
/*
* DO NOT change this method.
*
* This method is like the "main" method (but for applets). You will not
* need to call it. It contains most of the game logic.
*/
public void paint_game(Graphics canvas) {
// display the current game board
displayGame(canvas);
// the following block will run every time the user clicks the mouse
if (mouseClicked) { // when the user clicks the mouse
// if the game is ready to start or to be restarted
if (restart) {
// clear the window and set up the game again
wipeBoard(canvas);
setUpGame();
repaint();
}
// else, if the game is in play, check if the click is on a legal
// square
else if (legalSquare(xMouseSquare, yMouseSquare)) {
// if the square is legal, mark the corresponding position as
// taken by HUMAN
setMovePosition(xMouseSquare, yMouseSquare, HUMAN);
// display the new position with a HUMAN_COLOR circle
displayHit(canvas, HUMAN_COLOR, xMouseSquare, yMouseSquare);
// check if the game ends (if it is, HUMAN wins)
if (gameEnd()) {
// if HUMAN wins, mark the winning line as a special color.
markWinningLine(canvas);
// display the human winning message
canvas.setFont(new Font("SansSerif", Font.PLAIN, 30));
canvas.setColor(GAME_OVER_MESSAGE_COLOR);
canvas.drawString(GAME_WIN_MESSAGE, squareWidth / 2,
squareWidth);
// mark the game as ready to restart
restart = true;
} else if (gameDraw()) {
// if HUMAN doesn't win but the board is full, it is a draw
// display the draw message
canvas.setFont(new Font("SansSerif", Font.PLAIN, 30));
canvas.setColor(GAME_OVER_MESSAGE_COLOR);
canvas.drawString(GAME_DRAW_MESSAGE, squareWidth / 2,
squareWidth);
// mark the game as ready to restart
restart = true;
} else {
// if HUMAN doesn't win and the board is not full, the CPU
// is ready to move
CPUinMove = true;
// calculates the next CPU move
CPUMove();
// mark the corresponding position as taken by CPU
setMovePosition(xCPUMove, yCPUMove, CPU);
// display the new position with a CPU_COLOR circle
displayHit(canvas, CPU_COLOR, xCPUMove, yCPUMove);
CPUinMove = false;
if (gameEnd()) {
// if CPU wins, mark the winning line as a special
// color.
markWinningLine(canvas);
// display the human losing message
canvas.setFont(new Font("SansSerif", Font.PLAIN, 30));
canvas.setColor(GAME_OVER_MESSAGE_COLOR);
canvas.drawString(GAME_LOSE_MESSAGE, squareWidth / 2,
squareWidth);
// mark the game as ready to restart
restart = true;
}
// else (if the game is not ended after the CPU move), the
// game is ready to get the next HUMAN move
}
}
mouseClicked = false;
}
}
/*
* DO NOT change this method.
*
* This method initializes the applet. You will not need to call it.
*/
#Override
public void init() {
setSize(BOARD_SIZE_PIXELS, BOARD_SIZE_PIXELS);
setBackground(BACKGROUND_COLOR);
setUpGame();
}
/*
* DO NOT change this method.
*
* Creates a fresh game board and sets up the game state to get ready for a
* new game.
*/
private void setUpGame() {
buildBoard();
CPUinMove = false;
restart = false;
onFirstMove = true;
}
}

divide and conquer algorithm

I've been given a 2^k * 2^k sized board, and one of the tiles is randomly removed making it a deficient board. The task is to fill the with "trominos" which are an L-shaped figure made of 3 tiles.
The process of the solving it isn't too difficult. If the board is 2x2, then it only takes one tromino to fill it. For any greater size, it must be divided into quarters (making four 2^(k-1) sized boards), with one tromino placed at the center point, so each quadrant has one filled in tile. After that, the board can be recursively filled until every tile is filled with a random colored tromino.
My main problem is actually implementing the code. My skills with Java programming are generally pretty weak, and I often have trouble simply finding a place to start. The only work to be done is in the tile method in the tiling class, which takes as input the deficient board to tile, the row and column to start tiling in, and the number of tiles to fill. This is a homework problem, so I'm simply looking for some guidance or a place to start - any help would be greatly appreciated.
public class BoardViewer extends JFrame {
private static final int WIDTH = 1024;
private static final int HEIGHT = 768;
private static final int OFFSET = 30;
public static final int UPVERT = 1;
public static final int DNVERT = 2;
public static final int RHORIZ = 4;
public static final int LHORIZ = 8;
public static final int FILL = 16;
private Color [][] board;
public BoardViewer(DeficientBoard db) {
super();
setSize(WIDTH + (OFFSET*2), HEIGHT + (OFFSET*2));
setDefaultCloseOperation(EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
setResizable(false);
board = db.getBoardColor();
}
public void paint(Graphics g) {
super.paint(g);
int width = WIDTH/board[0].length;
int height = HEIGHT/board.length;
for (int r = 0; r < board.length; r++)
for (int c = 0; c < board[r].length; c++) {
g.setColor(board[r][c]);
int x = c*width + OFFSET;
int y = r*height + OFFSET + (OFFSET/2);
g.fillRect(x+1, y+1, width-1, height-1);
}
}
}
public class DeficientBoard {
private int n;
private Color board[][];
// The four rotations of the tile.
// UL is XX
// X
// UR is XX
// X
// LL is X
// XX
// LR is X
// XX
public final int UL = 0;
public final int UR = 1;
public final int LL = 2;
public final int LR = 3;
/**
* Create a 2^k x 2^k deficient board.
*
* #param k power
*/
public DeficientBoard(int k) {
n = (int)Math.pow(2, k);
createBoard(Color.LIGHT_GRAY);
}
/**
* Actually create an n x n deficient board.
*
* #param color background color
*/
private void createBoard(Color color) {
board = new Color[n][n];
for (int r = 0; r < board.length; r++)
for (int c = 0; c < board[0].length; c++)
board[r][c] = color;
int d_row = (int)(Math.random() * n);
int d_col = (int)(Math.random() * n);
board[d_row][d_col] = Color.BLACK;
}
/**
* Given a row and column and shape based on that point
* place a tromino of the given color.
*
* #param r row
* #param c column
* #param s shape (UL, UR, LL, LR)
* #param theColor a Color
*/
public void placeTromino(int r, int c, int s, Color theColor) {
if (s == UL) {
board[r][c] = theColor;
board[r][c+1] = theColor;
board[r+1][c] = theColor;
} else if (s == UR) {
board[r][c] = theColor;
board[r][c+1] = theColor;
board[r+1][c+1] = theColor;
} else if (s == LL) {
board[r][c] = theColor;
board[r+1][c] = theColor;
board[r+1][c+1] = theColor;
} else {
board[r+1][c] = theColor;
board[r+1][c+1] = theColor;
board[r][c+1] = theColor;
}
}
/**
* Get the 2^k x 2^k board.
*
* #return the Color board.
*/
public Color[][] getBoardColor() {
return board;
}
/**
* Find and return the deficient row.
*
* #param row row
* #param col column
* #param sz size of the baord
* #return the row the deficient block is located
*/
public int getDeficientRow(int row, int col, int sz) {
for (int r = row; r < (row + sz); r++)
for (int c = col; c < (col + sz); c++)
if (board[r][c] != Color.LIGHT_GRAY)
return r;
return -1;
}
/**
* Find and return the deficient column.
*
* #param row row
* #param col column
* #param sz size of the baord
* #return the row the deficient block is located
*/
public int getDeficientCol(int row, int col, int sz) {
for (int r = row; r < (row + sz); r++)
for (int c = col; c < (col + sz); c++)
if (board[r][c] != Color.LIGHT_GRAY)
return c;
return -1;
}
/**
* Get the size of the deficient board.
*
* #return the size
*/
public int getSize() {
return n;
}
/**
* Display information about the deficient board.
*/
public String toString() {
return ("Deficient board of size "
+ n + "x" + n
+ " with position missing at ("
+ getDeficientRow(0, 0, n) + "," + getDeficientCol(0, 0, n) +").");
}
}
public class Tiling {
private static Color randColor() {
int r = (int)(Math.random() * 256);
int g = (int)(Math.random() * 256);
int b = (int)(Math.random() * 256);
return new Color(r, g, b);
}
public static void tile(DeficientBoard db, int row, int col, int n) {
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
DeficientBoard db = new DeficientBoard(3);
System.out.println(db);
tile(db, 0, 0, db.getSize());
BoardViewer bv = new BoardViewer(db);
bv.setVisible(true);
}
}

In general, when a recursive function implements a divide-and-conquer algorithm, it has to handle two basic cases:
The base case. This is the case where you're done dividing, and need to conquer a bit. In your assignment, the base case is the case where n = 2, and in that case, you just need to find which of the four tiles is missing/painted (using DefectiveBoard.getDeficientRow and DefectiveBoard.getDeficientCol) and add the appropriate triomino to cover the other three tiles.
The recursive case. This is the case where you're not done dividing, so you need to divide (i.e., recurse), and (depending on the algorithm) may need to do a bit of conquering either before or after the recursion. In your assignment, the recursive case is the case where n > 2. In that case, you need to do two things:
Find which of the four quadrants has a missing/painted tile, and add the appropriate triomino to cover one tile from each of the other three quadrants.
Recurse, calling yourself four times (one for each quadrant).
A good starting point is to write the "Is this the base case?" check, and to implement the base case.
After that, if you don't see how to write the recursive case, one approach is to temporarily write a "one above the base" case (n = 4), and see if you can generalize it. If not, you might then temporarily write a "two above the base" case (n = 8), and so on. (Once you've got your recursive algorithm working, you would then remove these special cases, since they're fully covered by the general recursive case.)

Well this is somewhat of a harder problem to solve. However, I'd say you have the skills given how much code you wrote so I wouldn't be self conscious about it.
I don't have a complete solution formulated, but I think if you start at the the removed tile and put a trominos on either side of it. Then keep putting trominos on either side of the last trominos. You're "spooning" the tromino you last placed on the board. Once you do that to the edge of the board. All that's left is tromino shaped locations. Here is an example of what I mean (X is the dropped tile ie the gap, Y are the trominos):
_ _ _ _
|_|_|_|_|
|_|Y|Y|_|
|_|Y|X|Y|
|_|_|Y|Y|
_ _ _ _
|Y|Y|_|_|
|Y|Y|Y|_|
|_|Y|X|Y|
|_|_|Y|Y|
Once the board is filled to the edges you can essentially start dropping trominos like bombs on the rest of the board. I have a feeling there is a pattern here where you fill in the diagonal trominos while filling in the 2nd part at the same time that is repeatable. But if you can't find that then create a recursive routine that spoons the gap to the edges then transitions to adding trominos in diagonal patterns. The hint there is you have to do the transition in the first stack frame only.
Good luck.