Singapore PM writes code that solves sudoku puzzles

When he's not dealing with world issues, the Prime Minister of Singapore has a surprising hobby. He writes code. More specifically, he has created a program that solves sudoku puzzles.

On Monday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong posted code for his program on his Facebook page. It has since gained widespread praise from computer programmers and sudoku lovers around the world.

But creating code to solve puzzles isn't new.

According to self-proclaimed puzzle-head Will Shortz, people have been writing code to solve sudokus since they first grew in popularity around 2005. 

Shortz tells As it Happens co-host Carol Off that this could take the fun out of doing a puzzle.

"With a sudoku or a crossword there is a perfect solution. And, it's very satisfying to write it. It's something you're going to want to do yourself," he says.

Shortz works as the crossword editor for the New York Times. He's also the chairman of the World Puzzle Federation which holds yearly sudoku competitions around the world. 

"There's a great satisfaction in creating a new kind of puzzle...and I bet what the Prime Minister did was satisfying to him. He solved a puzzle in a way."

Even though he wouldn't use the prime minister's program, Shortz can appreciate his work.

"I am very impressed that a leader of a country is so brainy...Can you imagine the leader of Canada or the United States writing a sudoku program? You'd almost be laughed out of office."