Weekly Timetable Generator

A C-based timetable generator that creates conflict-free weekly schedules for N classes using a Backtracking Algorithm (Constraint Satisfaction), wrapped in a beautiful, high-performance, mouse-free Truecolor Text User Interface (TUI).

Features

• Interactive TUI Dashboard: Styled with a 24-bit Truecolor Catppuccin Mocha palette, complete with a navigable settings form and grid-based subject editor.
• Flicker-Free, Zero-Lag Rendering: Uses single-write in-memory buffering (formatting frames in RAM and printing in a single fputs call) to eliminate input latency.
• Generates timetables for multiple classes simultaneously while preventing resource conflicts.
• Supports Theory (single slot) and Lab (double slot) subjects.
• Fixed college timings (8:30 AM to 4:15 PM) including Tea Break (10:20 - 10:40) and Lunch Break (12:30 - 1:30).
• 3 FREE periods randomly placed per class per week.
• No repetition on the same day: Theory subjects appear once per day, and Lab subjects appear as a single consecutive double-slot.
• Database Schema & Text Export: Exports generated schedules to timetable.txt or writes directly to MySQL database using native command-line connectors.

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Interactive TUI Controls

1. Configuration Screen (Dashboard)

• [UP] / [DOWN]: Move focus between settings fields (Classes, Days, Subjects, MySQL User/Password).
• [LEFT] / [RIGHT] or Numeric Keys: Increment/decrement or type number values directly.
• Text Typing: Enter database username and password (password is safely masked with *).
• [Enter]: Navigate to next field, or click [ PROCEED ] to go to the subject editor.

2. Subject Details Editor Grid

• [Arrow Keys]: Navigate cells up, down, left, and right.
• [Tab] / [Enter]: Commit the cell value and jump focus to the next cell.
• [Space]: Toggle subject type between Theory and Lab (Labs automatically verify and set even weekly hours).
• [Delete]: Clear text or numeric values in the focused cell instantly.
• [Backspace]: Delete character-by-character.
• [Enter] on [ GENERATE TIMETABLE ]: Validate and launch the solver.

3. Timetable Viewer Screen

• [LEFT] / [RIGHT]: Cycle between different class schedules (e.g., Class 1, Class 2).
• [S]: Save the weekly schedule to timetable.txt.
• [M]: Export and import schedules directly into MySQL server.
• [Esc]: Return to the subject grid editor.

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Daily Schedule

Time	Slot
08:30 - 09:25	Period 1
09:25 - 10:20	Period 2
10:20 - 10:40	TEA BREAK
10:40 - 11:35	Period 3
11:35 - 12:30	Period 4
12:30 - 01:30	LUNCH BREAK
01:30 - 02:25	Period 5
02:25 - 03:20	Period 6
03:20 - 04:15	Period 7

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How to Compile & Run

Ensure you have a C compiler like gcc (MinGW) on your path.

Compile & Run the Timetable Generator:

gcc main.c -o timetable.exe -std=c99
.\timetable.exe

Compile & Run the Automated Constraint Verification Suite:

gcc test_solver.c -o test_solver.exe
.\test_solver.exe

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Algorithm

Backtracking with Constraint Satisfaction:

1. Pre-places breaks and 3 random FREE periods.
2. Tries subject placements in a shuffled order (for scheduling variety).
3. Applies constraints: No subject repetition on the same day, consecutive lab session pairs, no theory repetition in consecutive slots.
4. Backtracks on dead-ends, retrying with alternative free period placements.

Time Complexity: $O(S^{D \times P})$ worst-case, prunings by constraints keep execution sub-millisecond in normal configurations.

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Database Integration

The system auto-generates timetable_data.sql and imports it into MySQL timetable_db tables:

• config: Generation settings configuration.
• subjects: Input list of subject names and hour requirements.
• timetable: Generated timetable matrix with exact timing intervals and categories.

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DAA Mini Project

Built as a Design and Analysis of Algorithms mini-project demonstrating practical constraint-satisfaction backtracking.