🐍 Python Pattern Challenge — Day 16

Pattern printing is a great way to improve your Python loops, conditions, spacing, and logical thinking. For Day 16, let's create a Hollow Star Diamond Pattern ⭐.

Unlike a filled diamond, this pattern keeps the center empty and uses stars only along the outer shape. It is a good exercise for understanding nested loops, spaces, and boundary conditions.

Today's Challenge

Write a Python program to print:

Best and cleanest code will be rewarded! 🏆

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Solution 1 — Using Nested Loops

n = 6

for i in range(n):
    spaces = n - i - 1
    gap = 2 * i - 1

    if i == 0:
        print(" " * (spaces * 2) + "*")
    else:
        print(
            " " * (spaces * 2) +
            "* *" +
            " " * (gap * 2) +
            "* *"
        )

for i in range(n - 2, -1, -1):
    spaces = n - i - 1
    gap = 2 * i - 1

    if i == 0:
        print(" " * (spaces * 2) + "*")
    else:
        print(
            " " * (spaces * 2) +
            "* *" +
            " " * (gap * 2) +
            "* *"
        )

How it works

The pattern has two parts:

Upper half:

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

Lower half:

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

The number of spaces between the stars increases toward the center and then decreases again.

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Solution 2 — Using a Pattern Formula

n = 6

for i in list(range(n)) + list(range(n - 2, -1, -1)):

    if i == 0:
        print(" " * (2 * (n - 1)) + "*")
    else:
        left = " " * (2 * (n - i - 1))
        middle = " " * (2 * i - 1)

        print(left + "* *" + middle + "* *")

How it works

Instead of writing two separate loops, we create one sequence:

list(range(n)) + list(range(n - 2, -1, -1))

which produces:

0 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 0

This controls the expansion and contraction of the diamond.

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Solution 3 — Using a Function

def hollow_diamond(n):

    for i in list(range(n)) + list(range(n - 2, -1, -1)):

        if i == 0:
            print(" " * (2 * (n - 1)) + "*")
        else:
            left = " " * (2 * (n - i - 1))
            middle = " " * (2 * i - 1)

            print(left + "* *" + middle + "* *")


hollow_diamond(6)

Now you can change:

hollow_diamond(6)

to:

hollow_diamond(8)

to experiment with a larger pattern.

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⚡ Short & Clean Code

n = 6

for i in list(range(n)) + list(range(n-2, -1, -1)):
    if i == 0:
        print(" " * (2*n-2) + "*")
    else:
        print(" "*(2*(n-i-1)) + "* *" + " "*(2*i-1) + "* *")

🔥 A compact solution using just one main loop.

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🚀 Challenge Yourself

Can you modify this pattern:

• Make the diamond larger?
• Create a double hollow diamond?
• Replace * with another symbol?
• Create the same pattern using a while loop?
• Remove the extra spaces between the outer stars?
• Create a filled version of this pattern?

Drop your solution below! 👇

16 Days. 16 Patterns. Stronger Python Logic. 🐍🔥

HANDS-ON STATISTICS FOR DATA ANALYSIS IN PYTHON