// This class implements a simple crossword board that permits
// the placement of words across and down, checking to make sure
// they fit and overlapping letters match.

public class CrosswordBoard {
    char [][] theBoard;
    int rows;
    int cols;
    private static final char EmptySpaceChar = '*';

    /** Set rows and columns, allocate space and initialize
     */
    CrosswordBoard( int _rows, int _cols ) {
        // fill in the constructor

    }

    /* Each of the placeWord methods returns "true" and places word
     * in the board array if it fits. If there are any letters already
     * in the positions needed, they must match.  If there is not enough
     * room, or letters conflict with letters already there, return false.
     */

    // Add the placeWordAcross and placeWordDown methods

    /** Return a string representing the whole board,
     *  with each row on a separate line (using \n to separate lines)
     *  Use a StringBuffer object to build it.
     */
    public String toString() {
        StringBuffer buf = new StringBuffer(rows*(cols+1));

        // Do something here...

        return buf.toString();
    }
}