// Squares.java 

/**
 *  This program prints a pattern of nested squares
 *  User selects size
 *
 *  @author   Dr. Henry H. Leitner
 *  @version  Last_modified October 3, 2009
 */

import java.util.*;

class Squares 
{
    public static void main (String[] args) 
    {
        Scanner keyboard = new Scanner (System.in);
        System.out.print ("How long is the outermost side? ");
        int outerLength = keyboard.nextInt();
        for ( int row = 1; row <= outerLength; row++) 
        {
            for ( int column = 1; column <= outerLength; column++)
            {
                int distance = row - 1;              // distance from top edge
                if (distance > outerLength - row)    // distance from bottom edge
                   distance = outerLength - row;
                if (distance > column - 1)           // from left edge
                   distance = column - 1;
                if (distance > outerLength - column) // from right edge
                   distance = outerLength - column;
                if (distance % 2 == 0)               // even number of squares
                    System.out.print (" *");         // from closest edge
                else  System.out.print (" .");
            }
            System.out.println ();
        }
    }
}