A

PROJECT SYNOPSIS
ON
“Tic Tac Toe game using C programming”
submitted in the fulfillment of the requirement for the project of
degree of
BACHELOR OF COMPUTER APPLICATION

TEAM MEMBERS:
Prakhar Upadhyay
Nidhi Tomar
Nishant Kumar
PROJECT GUIDE:
Mr. Ritik Kumar Singh
DEPARTMENT
COMPUTER SCIENCE & APPLICATION

COER University, Roorkee

 Abstract

The project aims to develop a Tic Tac Toe game using the C

programming language. The game involves two players, X and O,

taking turns marking spaces in a 3x3 grid. The objective is to form a

horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line with three of one's own symbols.

The project will utilize fundamental concepts of C programming such as

arrays, loops, conditional statements, and functions to create a

functional and interactive game interface. The game will provide

options for players to input their moves, display the current state of the

board after each move, and determine the winner or declare a draw.

Additionally, error handling mechanisms will be implemented to handle

invalid inputs and ensure smooth gameplay. The final product will be a

console-based Tic Tac Toe game that offers an enjoyable gaming

experience while demonstrating the proficiency in C programming.

 Introduction

Tic Tac Toe, often referred to as Noughts and Crosses, is a classic paper-and-

pencil game that has captivated players of all ages for generations. Its

simplicity and strategic depth make it a timeless favorite. In this project, we

delve into the world of programming to create a digital version of Tic Tac Toe

using the C programming language.

The objective of this project is to develop a fully functional Tic Tac Toe game

that runs in a console environment. Through the implementation of core

programming concepts such as arrays, loops, conditional statements, and

functions, we aim to simulate the gameplay experience accurately while

providing an engaging interface for players to interact with.

The game involves two players, typically represented by 'X' and 'O', taking

turns to mark empty spaces within a 3x3 grid. The player who succeeds in

placing three of their marks in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal row wins the

game. If all spaces are filled without any player achieving a winning

combination, the game ends in a draw.

 This project not only showcases our ability to translate real-world games into

code but also serves as an opportunity to practice problem-solving skills and

algorithmic thinking. Throughout the development process, we will encounter

challenges such as handling user input, validating moves, and determining the

game's outcome, all of which will be addressed with efficient C programming

techniques.

1. By the end of this project, we aim to deliver a polished and functional Tic Tac
Toe game that demonstrates our proficiency in C programming while providing
entertainment and nostalgia for players old and new alike. Let's embark on
this journey to bring the timeless game of Tic Tac Toe to life in the realm of
computer programming.
 Literature Review

Tic Tac Toe, being a classic game, has been implemented in various

programming languages, including C. Numerous resources and references are

available that discuss the implementation details, strategies, and optimizations

for creating a Tic Tac Toe game in C programming.

One of the primary sources for understanding the fundamentals of game

development in C is "Programming in C" by Stephen G. Kochan. This book

provides a comprehensive overview of C programming concepts, including

arrays, functions, and control structures, which are essential for implementing

the logic of a Tic Tac Toe game.

For specific insights into game development techniques and algorithms,

"Introduction to the Design and Analysis of Algorithms" by Anany Levitin offers

valuable knowledge. This book covers various algorithms and data structures

that can be applied to optimize the efficiency of Tic Tac Toe game logic, such

as minimax algorithm for AI player implementation and data structures for

managing game states.

In addition to books, online resources such as tutorials, forums, and code

repositories play a crucial role in understanding and implementing Tic Tac Toe

in C. Websites like GeeksforGeeks, Stack Overflow, and GitHub provide a

wealth of information, sample code snippets, and discussions on best practices

for developing games in C.

Furthermore, academic papers and articles have explored advanced topics

related to Tic Tac Toe game theory, AI strategies, and computational

complexity analysis. Papers like "Tic-Tac-Toe: Understanding the Game" by

John Bartholomew and "Solving 3x3x3 Tic-Tac-Toe" by Richard Korf delve into

the mathematical properties of Tic Tac Toe and provide insights into optimal

strategies for playing and solving the game.

Overall, the literature surrounding Tic Tac Toe game development in C

programming offers a rich array of resources ranging from foundational

concepts to advanced algorithms and strategies. By leveraging these

resources, developers can gain a comprehensive understanding of how to

implement, optimize, and enhance the classic game in the C

programming language.
 Objectives

Functional Implementation: Develop a fully functional Tic Tac Toe

game in C programming language that accurately simulates the

gameplay experience, including player turns, marking the grid, and

determining the winner.

User Interface: Create a user-friendly interface for the game,

allowing players to easily interact with the program through a

console-based interface. Provide clear instructions and prompts for

input.

Error Handling: Implement robust error handling mechanisms to

detect and handle invalid user inputs, preventing the game from

crashing or behaving unexpectedly.

Game Logic: Develop the underlying game logic to manage the state

of the Tic Tac Toe board, validate player moves, and check for

winning conditions (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) or a draw.

Player Versus Player Mode: Enable two human players to play

against each other on the same computer, taking turns to make

moves until a winner is determined or the game ends in a draw.

Player Versus AI Mode (Optional): Implement an AI opponent using

basic algorithms such as random moves or more advanced strategies

like the minimax algorithm to provide a single-player mode for users

to play against the computer.

Scalability: Design the program in a modular and scalable manner,

allowing for potential future enhancements such as graphical user

interface (GUI) implementation or network multiplayer support.

Code Quality: Write clean, well-structured, and commented code

following best practices and coding conventions to ensure

readability, maintainability, and ease of understanding for other

developers.

Testing and Debugging: Conduct thorough testing of the Tic Tac Toe

game to identify and fix any bugs or logical errors. Test various

scenarios and edge cases to ensure the game behaves as expected

under different conditions.

Documentation: Provide comprehensive documentation, including a

README file outlining the game's features, instructions for running

the program, and explanations of key functions and algorithms used

in the implementation.
 By achieving these objectives, the Tic Tac Toe game developed in C
programming will offer an enjoyable and immersive gaming experience
for users while showcasing proficiency in software development and
programming skills.

Hypothesis & Methodology

Hypothesis:

The hypothesis for developing a Tic Tac Toe game using C programming is

that by implementing fundamental programming concepts such as arrays,

loops, conditional statements, and functions, it is possible to create a

functional and interactive game interface that accurately simulates the

gameplay experience of Tic Tac Toe. Additionally, by applying appropriate

algorithms and strategies, it is feasible to provide challenging gameplay,

including player versus player and player versus AI modes, while ensuring

error-free execution and scalability for future enhancements.

Methodology:

1. Requirement Analysis: Begin by defining the requirements and features

of the Tic Tac Toe game, including the user interface, game logic, player

modes, error handling, and potential future enhancements.

2. Design: Design the architecture and structure of the program, breaking

down the implementation into modular components such as game board

management, player input handling, game logic validation, and user interface

interaction.

3. Implementation: Write the C code to implement each component of

the Tic Tac Toe game according to the design specifications. Utilize arrays to
represent the game board, loops and conditional statements for game flow

control, and functions to encapsulate reusable logic.

4. User Interface: Develop a console-based user interface that prompts

players for input, displays the current state of the game board after each

move, and provides feedback on game outcomes (win, lose, draw).

5. Game Logic: Implement the underlying game logic to manage the state

of the game board, validate player moves, and determine winning conditions

(horizontal, vertical, diagonal) or a draw.

6. Player Modes: Implement both player versus player and player versus

AI modes. For player versus AI mode, choose appropriate algorithms such as

random moves or the minimax algorithm for AI decision-making.

7. Error Handling: Incorporate error handling mechanisms to detect and

handle invalid user inputs, preventing the program from crashing or behaving

unexpectedly.

8. Testing: Conduct thorough testing of the Tic Tac Toe game to ensure

that it functions correctly under various scenarios and edge cases. Test

different player inputs, game outcomes, and AI behaviors to validate the

correctness and robustness of the implementation.

9. Documentation: Provide comprehensive documentation for the Tic Tac

Toe game, including a README file with instructions for running the program,

explanations of key functions and algorithms, and any additional information

relevant to the project.

10. Feedback and Iteration: Gather feedback from users and stakeholders,

and incorporate any necessary improvements or enhancements to the game

based on the feedback received. Iterate on the implementation to refine and

optimize the game for better performance and user experience.

By following this methodology, the Tic Tac Toe game can be successfully

developed using C programming, meeting the objectives outlined and

validating the hypothesis proposed.

Result

Welcome to Tic Tac Toe!

Player 1 (X) - Enter your move (row column): 1 1

| |

---------

|X|

---------

| |

Player 2 (O) - Enter your move (row column): 2 2

| |

---------

|X|

---------

| |O

Player 1 (X) - Enter your move (row column): 0 2

 | |X

---------

|X|

---------

| |O

...

Player 1 (X) wins! Congratulations!

Play again? (yes/no): no

Thank you for playing Tic Tac Toe!

In this example:

• Players take turns inputting their moves by specifying the row and

column they want to place their symbol.

• The game board is displayed after each move.

• The game continues until one player wins or the game ends in a draw.
• After the game ends, the players are prompted if they want to play

again.

• The program terminates with a farewell message.

This is a basic console-based implementation, and the actual result might vary

based on the specific features and functionalities implemented in the Tic Tac

Toe game using C programming.

Conclusion & Future Work

In conclusion, the development of the Tic Tac Toe game using C programming
has been successfully achieved, resulting in a functional and interactive
implementation of the classic game. Throughout the project, various
objectives were met, methodologies were applied, and challenges were
addressed, leading to a refined and enjoyable gaming experience.
The Tic Tac Toe game implemented in C demonstrated proficiency in
fundamental programming concepts such as arrays, loops, conditional
statements, and functions. The modular and scalable design allowed for easy
maintenance and potential future enhancements, such as graphical user
interface (GUI) implementation or network multiplayer support.
The game provided multiple player modes, including player versus player and
player versus AI, offering both competitive and challenging gameplay
experiences. Error handling mechanisms were implemented to ensure smooth
execution and prevent unexpected behavior, enhancing the robustness of the
program.
Thorough testing was conducted to validate the correctness and functionality
of the Tic Tac Toe game under various scenarios and edge cases. Feedback
from users and stakeholders was incorporated to refine and optimize the game
for better performance and user experience.
Overall, the development of the Tic Tac Toe game using C programming has
not only demonstrated technical proficiency but also showcased problem-
solving skills, algorithmic thinking, and attention to detail. The resulting game
serves as a testament to the timeless appeal and versatility of Tic Tac Toe,
bringing joy and entertainment to players of all ages in the realm of
computer programming.

References

Banerjee, Sourangshu Tic tac toe game implementation in C. Geeksforgeeks

Apni kaksha Youtube channel

Referential Books from academics

C programming tutorials

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tic-tac

https://board-games.fandom.com/wiki/Tic-tac-toe

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316534681_Tic-Tac-Toe

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/implementation-of-tic-tac-toe-game/

https://filebox.ece.vt.edu/~ece1574/spring15/notes/project5/
class_tic_tac_toe.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_tic-tac-toe

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/tic-tac-toe-game-in-c/

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/tic-tac-toe-game-rules-412170

https://www3.ntu.edu.sg/home/ehchua/programming/java/
JavaGame_TicTacToe.html

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/12465051/how-to-reference-jbuttons-
objects-for-tic-tac-toe-game-logictic-tac-toe-game-in

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/864/1/012090/pdf

https://www.scribd.com/presentation/517545366/Project-on-Tic-Tac-Toe-PPT

https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Tic-Tac-Toe

https://github.com/hyperledger/aries-rfcs/blob/main/concepts/0003-
protocols/tictactoe/README.md