Memory Match Game – Coding Process
Explanation
Step-by-Step Coding Process
1. Planning the Program
Before writing code, I:
● Understood the game rules (matching pairs on a 4x4 grid).
● Broke the logic into small tasks (initialize board, shuffle, check match, scoring).
● Sketched the algorithm (see algorithm document).
● Planned out the functions needed.
2. Setting Up the Project
● Created a new .cpp file for the project.
● Included necessary libraries:
○ <iostream>: Input/output
○ <vector>: 2D board storage
○ <iomanip>: Output formatting
○ <cstdlib> and <ctime>: Randomization
○ <string>: Player name processing
○ <cctype>: Input validation
3. Creating Utility Functions
3.1. getName():
● Prompts for the user's name.
● Validates the input (only letters and spaces).
● Capitalizes first letters (title case).
3.2. initialize():
● Fills a 4x4 grid with two of each number 1–8.
● Shuffles the numbers.
● Assigns the shuffled numbers to the board.
3.3. displayBoard():
● Displays the board to the user.
● Shows matched numbers, hides unmatched ones as *.
3.4. match():
● Accepts two coordinates.
● Validates input.
● Compares values at the coordinates.
● Updates matched board and adjusts points.
3.5. displayFullBoard():
● Shows all card values, used when giving up or ending.
3.6. toUpper():
● Converts a string to uppercase (used in some messages).
4. Main Program Flow
4.1. Greeting the Player
● Show a header with student name and game name.
● Ask for the player's name using getName().
4.2. Board Setup
● Call initialize() to set up the cards and shuffle.
● Initialize a parallel matched board (all false).
● Set points to 50.
4.3. Main Game Loop
● Display a menu with 4 options:
○ Match
○ Display
○ Give Up
○ Exit
● Use a loop and switch-case to process player choices.
● Keep running until the user chooses to give up or exit.
4.4. Matching Logic
● Allow player to enter 2 card coordinates.
● Check for a match.
● Award or deduct points accordingly.
● Update matched positions if successful.
4.5. Display Option
● Shows the current state of the board.
● Costs 10 points to use.
● Only allowed if the user has at least 10 points.
4.6. Give Up Option
● Shows the full solution board.
● Offers a chance to restart or quit.
5. Finalization
● When the game ends, display the final score.
● Return 0 to exit successfully.
Functions Used
Function Name Purpose
getName() Validates and formats player name
initialize() Randomizes and fills the game
board
displayBoard() Shows matched cards or * for
hidden
match() Handles matching logic, scoring
displayFullBoa Reveals all cards
rd()
toUpper() Converts string to uppercase
Testing the Program
● Manual test inputs were used (see hand-calculations).
● Validated inputs and outputs for:
○ Matching cards.
○ Using Display option.
○ Giving up and restarting.
○ Edge cases like selecting the same card twice.
Summary
This project reinforced:
● Working with 2D vectors in C++.
● Creating modular, reusable functions.
● Validating user input.
● Using randomization and logic flow.
● Building a turn-based console game with scoring.
