Reverse Alphabet, Diagonal * in Java
What You’ll Learn
Five rows, each like EDCBA but with exactly one * where the row letter meets the column letter (i == j).
The star slides from the right (EDCB*) to the left (*DCBA) as i increases. Compare program 16 (centered pyramid, no diagonal).
⭐ Pattern Output
EDCB*
EDC*A
ED*BA
E*CBA
*DCBAComplete Java Program (A–E)
Outer i runs from 65 to 69 (A to E). Inner j runs from 69 down to 65 to print reverse letters across the row.
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int i, j;
for (i = 65; i <= 69; i++) {
for (j = 69; j >= 65; j--) {
if (i == j) {
System.out.print("*");
} else {
System.out.print((char) j);
}
}
System.out.println();
}
}
}🧠 How It Works
Outer i
Row index A through E; also the value that will match j on the diagonal.
Inner j descends
Because j runs E down to A, each row would print EDCBA without the star condition.
if (i == j)
On the matching cell, print * instead of the letter.
Row 1 walkthrough
i = 65 ('A'): j prints E, D, C, B; when j reaches A it equals i and becomes the star → EDCB*.
Square grid
5 × 5 cells → 25 prints → O(n²) for n letters.
Variation — User Input
endChar = (char)('A' + rows - 1); outer i and inner j use char from 'A' through endChar. Clamp rows to 1–26.
import java.util.Scanner;
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Scanner sc = new Scanner(System.in);
System.out.print("Enter the number of rows: ");
int rows = sc.nextInt();
rows = Math.max(1, Math.min(rows, 26));
char startChar = 'A';
char endChar = (char) ('A' + rows - 1);
for (char i = startChar; i <= endChar; i++) {
for (char j = endChar; j >= startChar; j--) {
if (i == j) {
System.out.print("*");
} else {
System.out.print(j);
}
}
System.out.println();
}
sc.close();
}
}💡 Tips for Enhancement
Try These
- Swap
*for#or another marker - Mirror the inner loop to get
ABCDEwith a diagonal hole - Keep
rows <= 26so letters stay in A–Z
Avoid
- Using
rowslarger than 26 without widening the alphabet range - Forgetting the reverse
jloop (you would print ABCDE instead of EDCBA)
Key Takeaways
Descending j prints reverse letters on each line.
i == j picks one diagonal cell per row.
Generalize with endChar from rows and char loops.
O(n²) for an n×n letter square.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
j counts down), the stars sit on one anti-diagonal of the letter matrix.i + j == startChar + endChar so the match moves along the opposite slant (adjust the range for your letters).for (i = 65; i <= 69; i++) matches for (i = 'A'; i <= 'E'; i++) when i is int. Character literals are often easier to read.More Java alphabet patterns
Pairing indices with character codes is a compact way to mark one cell per row.
System.out.print((char) j) and System.out.print(j) with char j both emit a single letter; pick one style and stay consistent.
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