\(\begin{array}{c c c c }  *  &*   & *   &* \\  *  &    &     &*  \\  *  &    &     &* \\*  &*   & *   &*       \end{array}\) 

Write a program that reads a number and displays the above pattern.


Difficulty level
This exercise is mostly suitable for students
#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>

void main()
{
	int N, i, j;
	do{
		printf("Enter N: ");
		scanf("%d",&N);
	}while(N<=0);

	for(i=1; i<=N; i++)
	{
		for(j=1;j<=N;j++)
            		if(i==1 || i==N || j==1 || j==N)
               			printf("*");
            		else
                		printf(" ");
		printf("\n");
	}

	getch();
}

Back to the list of exercises
Looking for a more challenging exercise, try this one !!
Ordering elements in a queue based on colors