This is inspired by/taken from this thread: http://www.allegro.cc/forums/thread/603383
The Problem
Assume the user gives you a numeric input ranging from 1 to 7. Input should be taken from the console, arguments are less desirable.
When the input is 1, print the following:
***********
*********
*******
*****
***
*
Values greater than one should generate multiples of the pattern, ending with the one above, but stacked symmetrically. For example, 3 should print the following:
*********** *********** ***********
********* ********* *********
******* ******* *******
***** ***** *****
*** *** ***
* * *
*********** ***********
********* *********
******* *******
***** *****
*** ***
* *
***********
*********
*******
*****
***
*
Bonus points if you print the reverse as well.
*********** ***********
********* *********
******* *******
***** *****
*** ***
* *
***********
*********
*******
*****
***
*
*
***
*****
*******
*********
***********
* *
*** ***
***** *****
******* *******
********* *********
*********** ***********
Can we try and keep it to one answer per language, that we all improve on?