how to code magic square without the built in command

I want to write a code which generates the magic square NxN. I have a problem inserting the rules that apply to the magic square. these are the rules:

1. Ask the user for an odd number
2. Create an n by n array.
3. Follow these steps to create a magic square.

a. Place a 1 in the middle of the first row.

b. Subtract 1 from the row and add 1 to the column.

i. If possible place the next number at that position.

ii. If not possible, follow these steps.

If in row -1, then change to last row

If in last column change to first column

If blocked, then drop down to next row (from original position)

if in the upper right corner, then drop down to next row.

1. Print the array

my code so far:

n = input('give dimension number for magic square: ');

M = zeros(n,n);

%position for number 1

M(floor(n/2),n-1) = 1;

[David Hill]

Rules seem straight forward. Continue coding (using indexing) and ask a specific question.

Answer 1

[Sunny Choudhary]

Sure here's the working code:

% Ask the user for an odd number
n = input('Enter an odd integer for the dimension of the magic square: ');

% Check if n is odd
if mod(n, 2) == 0
    error('Error: You entered an even number. Please enter an odd number.');
end

% Create an n by n array of zeros
magic_square = zeros(n);

% Place a 1 in the middle of the first row
row = 1;
col = ceil(n/2);
magic_square(row, col) = 1;

% Populate the rest of the magic square
for num = 2:n^2 % start from 2 because 1 is already in the middle of the first row
    % Subtract 1 from the row and add 1 to the column
    row = row - 1;
    col = col + 1;
    
    % Check if the new position is out of bounds
    if row < 1 && col > n % upper right corner
        row = 2;
        col = n;
    elseif row < 1 % row out of bounds
        row = n;
    elseif col > n % column out of bounds
        col = 1;
    elseif magic_square(row, col) ~= 0 % blocked
        row = row + 2;
        col = col - 1;
        
        % Check if the new position is out of bounds
        if row > n
            row = row - n;
        elseif col < 1
            col = col + n;
        end
    end
    
    % Place the number at the new position
    magic_square(row, col) = num;
end

% Print the magic square
disp(magic_square)