ascii-maze-factory

1#!/usr/bin/env python3
2"""
3ASCII Maze Generator using Recursive Backtracking
4
5Generates random mazes and prints them in ASCII art.
6Usage: python maze_generator.py [width] [height]
7"""
8
9import random
10import sys
11
12def generate_maze(width: int = 21, height: int = 11) -> list[list[str]]:
13    """Generate a maze using recursive backtracking algorithm."""
14    # Ensure odd dimensions for proper walls
15    width = width if width % 2 == 1 else width + 1
16    height = height if height % 2 == 1 else height + 1
17    
18    # Initialize grid with walls
19    maze = [['#' for _ in range(width)] for _ in range(height)]
20    
21    def carve(x: int, y: int):
22        """Carve passages from current position."""
23        maze[y][x] = ' '
24        directions = [(0, -2), (0, 2), (-2, 0), (2, 0)]
25        random.shuffle(directions)
26        
27        for dx, dy in directions:
28            nx, ny = x + dx, y + dy
29            if 0 < nx < width - 1 and 0 < ny < height - 1 and maze[ny][nx] == '#':
30                maze[y + dy // 2][x + dx // 2] = ' '
31                carve(nx, ny)
32    
33    # Start from (1, 1)
34    carve(1, 1)
35    
36    # Create entrance and exit
37    maze[0][1] = ' '
38    maze[height - 1][width - 2] = ' '
39    
40    return maze
41
42def print_maze(maze: list[list[str]]) -> None:
43    """Print the maze to terminal."""
44    for row in maze:
45        print(''.join(row))
46
47def main():
48    width = int(sys.argv[1]) if len(sys.argv) > 1 else 21
49    height = int(sys.argv[2]) if len(sys.argv) > 2 else 11
50    
51    maze = generate_maze(width, height)
52    print_maze(maze)
53
54if __name__ == '__main__':
55    main()
56