Prints a cross of stars (`*`)

cross.cpp

#include <iostream>
#include <cmath>
#include <string>

using namespace std;


void starCross(int n) {
    float half = (float)n * 0.5;
    
    for (int i = 1; i <= floor(half); i++) {
        for (int j = 1; j < i; j++) {
            cout << " ";
        }
        cout << "*";

        for (int j = 1; j < (n + 1) - 2*i; j++) {
            cout << " ";
        }
        cout << "*" << endl;
    }


    if (n % 2 == 1) {
        for (int i = 0; i < floor(half); i++) {
            cout << " ";
        }
        cout << "*" << endl;
    }
    
    
    for (int i = floor(half); i >= 1; i--) {
        for (int j = 1; j < i; j++) {
            cout << " ";
        }
        cout << "*";
        for (int j = 1; j < (n + 1) - 2*i; j++) {
            cout << " ";
        }
        cout << "*\n";
    }
}


int main(int argc, char** argv) {
    if (argc < 2) {
        cout << "Please supply a size for the cross." << endl;
        return 1;
    }
    
    int size = stoi(argv[1]);
    starCross(size);

    return 0;
}

Sample output:

$ > git clone https://gist.github.com/f21e3d44b3ccd091997a23504367e2a9.git # clone the gist
$ > cd f21e* # enter the gist dir

$ > g++ -g -Wall -O3 -o cross cross.cpp # compile it
$ > ./cross 9 # run it, odd numbers look best
*       *         #1
 *     *          #2
  *   *           #3
   * *            #4
    *             #5
   * *            #6
  *   *           #7
 *     *          #8
*       *         #9

$ > ./cross 12 # with an even number
*          *
 *        *
  *      *
   *    *
    *  *
     **
     **
    *  *
   *    *
  *      *
 *        *
*          *       #...12