DSA problem

Sandglass (Hourglass) Pattern

MediumPattern PrintingPattern: Composed LoopsbeginnerFree

Given an integer N, print a sandglass (hourglass) pattern of stars - an inverted pyramid stacked on top of a regular pyramid.

The sandglass is the inverse of a diamond. Where a diamond expands then contracts, a sandglass contracts then expands. The upper half is an inverted pyramid that starts wide and narrows to a single star, and the lower half is a regular pyramid that starts narrow and widens back out.

This reinforces that complex-looking patterns are just combinations of simpler ones: identify the sub-patterns and you can build anything.

Examples

Example 1

Input: N = 5

Output:

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

Explanation: Rows narrow to a single middle star, then widen back out symmetrically.

Constraints

1 <= N <= 100

3 hints and a full solution walkthrough with step-by-step visualizations are available in the practice editor.

patternloops

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