Computer Number Guesser

A C terminal game that uses binary search to efficiently guess a number chosen by the player. The game includes two difficulty levels, replayability, input validation, and a statistics summary.

Features

• Easy Mode: Number between 1–50
• Hard Mode: Number between 1–1000
• Algorithm: Computer uses binary search to narrow down the answer
• Simple Controls: Player provides feedback using H, L, or C
• Replayability: Built-in replay functionality
• Statistics Tracking:
  • Games played
  • Average guesses
  • Best game (fewest guesses)
  • Worst game (most guesses)
• Input Validation: Handles invalid responses

How It Works

The player secretly chooses a number within the selected range. The computer guesses the middle of the current range and asks whether the player's number is:

• H — Higher: The number is higher than the computer's guess.
• L — Lower: The number is lower than the computer's guess.
• C — Correct: The computer guessed the number.

Based on the response, the computer adjusts its search boundaries and makes the next guess until it finds the correct number.

Prerequisites

You need a C compiler installed on your system, such as GCC or Clang.

Compilation and Running

Download the repository as a ZIP from GitHub and extract it. Open Terminal and navigate into the downloaded project folder.

From inside the project folder, run these commands to compile and launch the game automatically:

gcc src/number_guesser.c -o number_guesser

Followed by

./number_guesser

Play the Game

The program will start in your terminal.

1. Choose a difficulty and think of a number within the displayed range.

2. When the computer makes a guess:

   • Enter H if your number is higher.
   • Enter L if your number is lower.
   • Enter C if the computer is correct.

3. The computer will continue narrowing the range until it finds your number.

View Your Statistics

After each game, you can choose whether to play again. If you choose N, the program displays your statistics, including:

• Games played
• Average guesses
• Best game
• Worst game

Demo Video

(My number was 23)

Number.Gusser.Demo.mov

What I Learned

This project helped me practice:

• Variables and data types
• if / else statements
• while and do-while loops
• Character handling with toupper
• Binary search
• Tracking and calculating statistics
• Debugging and testing a terminal-based program

Problems I Encountered

• Had trouble setting up and compiling the C program in VS Code.
• Initially allowed invalid inputs, which I later fixed with input validation.

Development Process

I developed the project incrementally, starting with the core number-guessing logic and then adding difficulty levels, replay functionality, statistics, and input validation. I tested the program using different numbers, difficulty levels, and invalid inputs to make sure the game behaved as expected.

Future Improvements

Possible improvements include:

• Adding a maximum guesses indicator
• Adding additional game modes
• Creating a graphical interface
• Tracking more detailed statistics
• Utilize pointers and more advanced features