Bouwkamp notation, or code, is used to describe
squared squares or
squared rectangles. In it, brackets group adjacent squares with flush tops, and then the groups are sequentially placed in the highest (and leftmost) possible slots. Using the code you can recreate any of the squared squares graphically.
Example: To recreate the pluperfect square { {50, 35, 27}, {8, 19}, {15, 17, 11}, {6, 24}, {29, 25, 9, 2}, {7, 18}, {16}, {42}, {4, 37}, {33} }, you would start by drawing a 50-unit square. Next, draw a 35-unit square whose upper-left corner is the upper-right corner of the 50-unit square. Next you would draw a 27-unit square whose upper-left corner is the upper right corner of the 35 unit square. This makes a cluster that looks (something) like this:
.-----.----.---.
| 50 | 35 | 27|
| | | |
| | | |
| | |---.
| |----.
.-----.
The next numbers {8,19} are in a new set of brackets, so you place this new square in the highest and leftmost empty space available. In this case, you would draw an 8-unit square whose upper left corner is the lower-left hand corner of the 27-unit square.
.-----.----.---.
| 50 | 35 | 27|
| | | |
| | | |
| | |---.
| |-----' <-- 8
-----.
Followed by a 19-unit square to its right, which ends up flush with the right hand side of the entire square.
.-----.----.---.
| 50 | 35 | 27|
| | | |
| | | |
| | |---|
| |-----|19|
.-----. .--.
The next square—the 15-unit square, also in a new bracket set—gets tucked up under the 35, and so on and so forth until you have deciphered the square.