Bulls and cows

Bulls and Cows, known also as Cows and Bulls or Pigs and Bulls is an old code-breaking paper and pencil game for two players, similar to Mastermind.

It is a game with numbers that may date back a century or more, and a probable inspiration for Mastermind. It is played by two opponents. The game can also be played with 3 digits instead of 4.

On a sheet of paper, the players each write a 4-digit secret number. The digits must be all different. Then, in turn, the players try to guess their opponent's number who gives the number of matches. If the matching digits are on their right positions, they are "bulls", if on different positions, they are "cows". Example:
* Secret number: 4271
* Opponent's try: 1234
* Answer: 1 bull and 2 cows. (The bull is "2", the cows are "4" and "1".)

The first one to reveal the other's secret number wins the game. As the "first one to try" has a logical advantage, on every game the "first" player changes. In some places, the winner of the previous game will play "second". Sometimes, if the "first" player finds the number, the "second" has one more move to make and if he also succeeds, the result is even.

The secret numbers for Bulls and cows are usually 4-digit-numbers, but the game can be played with 3 to 6 digit numbers (in every case it is more difficult than with 4).

The game may also be played by two teams of 2-3 players. The players of every team discuss before making their move, much like in chess.

A computer program moo, was the first Bulls and Cows computer implementation, written in the late 1960s by J. M. Grochow at MIT in the PL/I computer language for the Multics operating system.

Because the game has simple rules, while it is difficult and entertaining, there are many computer variants; it is often included in telephones and PDAs.

ee also

* Mastermind

External links

* [http://5ko.free.fr/en/bk.html Bulls and Cows] , an online variant of the game, in English, French and Bulgarian language.
* [http://ftp.stratus.com/vos/multics/pg/pg.html Page with the PL/1 code for Moo by J.M. Grochow]
* [http://ftp.stratus.com/vos/multics/tvv/moo-in-multics-1972.pdf Moo in Multics] article in Software Practice and Experience tracing history of this game program, Jerrold M. Grochow, 1972
* [http://www.biology.duke.edu/cibl/exercises/BagelsPicoFermi.htm Pico, Fermi, Bagels ]
* [http://www.bullscows.com/ Bulls and Cows Online Game] , browser-based version of the game
* [http://fourdigits.sourceforge.net/ 4 digits game] , a free/open source software, identical to Bulls and Cows.