square()

The function square() can be used to generate square patterns using characters or numbers

Function Signature

square(
    n: int,
    char: str = "*",
    numeric: bool = False,
    increment: bool = False,
    space: bool = False
) -> str

square() creates an n * n grid based on configuration options: - Character-based patterns (default) - Numeric patterns - Incremental sequences - Optional spacing for readabiility

Parameter

Name	Type	Default	Description
n	int	—	Size of the square (rows and columns). Must be positive.
char	str	"*"	Character used to build the square. Must be a single character.
numeric	bool	False	If True, generates numeric patterns instead of characters.
increment	bool	False	If True, rows contain 1 → n instead of repeating numbers. Requires numeric=True.
space	bool	False	Adds spaces between elements for better readability.

Returns

• str — A string representing the square pattern with newline-separated rows

Raises

Exception	Condition
ValueError	If n <= 0
ValueError	If char is not a single character
ValueError	If numeric=True and char is provided
ValueError	If increment=True but numeric=False

Basic Usage

Charater Mode (default)

Repeats the given character across all rows.

* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *

Usage Examples

1. Default Square

print(square(3))

***
***
***

2. Default Square (with spaces)

print(square(3, space=True))

* * *
* * *
* * *

Numeric Mode

• Each row uses its row number:

1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3

Usage Examples

1. Simple Numeric Pattern

from patlab import square

print(square(4, numeric=True))

1111
2222
3333
4444

2. Simple Numeric Pattern (with spaces)

from patlab import square

print(square(4, numeric=True, space=True))

1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4

3. Simple Incremental Numeric Pattern

from patlab import square

print(square(4, numeric=True, incremental=True))

1234
1234
1234
1234

4. Simple Incremental Numeric Pattern (with spaces)

from patlab import square

print(square(4, numeric=True, incremental=True, spaces=True))

1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4

Custom Character Mode

Repeats the given custom character across all rows.

Usage Examples

print(square(4, "#"))

####
####
####
####

print(square(3, "1"))

111
111
111

print(square(4,"#",space=True))

# # # #
# # # #
# # # #
# # # #

print(square(3, "1", space=True))

1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1

Notes

• charr is ignored when numeric=True
• incremental=True only works when numeric=True
• Output is always returned as a string (not printed)

Tips

• Combine options carefully to avoid ValueError