C++ Rubik's Cube Solver

This project is a high-performance, command-line-based Rubik's Cube solver written in C++. It can generate a random scramble for a 3x3x3 cube and then find an optimal solution using the IDA* (Iterative Deepening A-Star) search algorithm, guided by pattern databases.

Features

Multiple Cube Representations: Includes several internal models of the Rubik's Cube for efficiency and testing, including a highly optimized bitboard representation.

IDA* Search Algorithm: Employs the powerful IDA* algorithm to find solutions quickly.

Pattern Databases: Uses pre-calculated pattern databases (specifically, a corner pattern database) to provide an accurate heuristic, significantly speeding up the search for a solution.

Cross-Platform Build System: Uses CMake to manage the build process, allowing it to be compiled on various operating systems.

Requirements

To build and run this project, you will need a C++ development environment.

C++ Compiler: A modern C++ compiler that supports C++14 (e.g., GCC/g++, Clang).

CMake: Version 3.5 or higher.

Build Tool: A build tool like Ninja or make.

(Windows Users) It is highly recommended to use MSYS2 with the UCRT64 environment to install the required toolchain (gcc, cmake, ninja).

Build and Run Instructions

These instructions will guide you through compiling and running the project from the command line.

1. Compilation Steps Open your terminal.

Windows Users: Open the MSYS2 UCRT64 terminal.

Linux/macOS Users: Open your standard terminal.

Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/Sayak0504/Rubiks-Cube-Solver.git

cd /path/to/your/project/rubiks-cube-solving

Create and enter a build directory. This keeps the compiled files separate from the source code.

mkdir build
cd build

Run CMake to generate the build files. This command points to the CMakeLists.txt file in the parent directory.

cmake ..

Compile the project. If you are using the recommended MSYS2 setup, ninja will be used. Otherwise, make may be the default.

ninja

(If ninja is not found, try make)

2. Run the Solver After a successful compilation, an executable file will be created in your build directory.

Run the program:

./rubiks_cube_solving.exe

The program will output the state of a randomly scrambled cube, the list of moves used to scramble it, and will then begin the solving process. Once a solution is found, it will print the solved state and the moves required to solve it.

Note: Solving complex scrambles can be computationally intensive and may take some time. For quicker testing, you can reduce the number of scramble moves in main.cpp.