Diamond shape

import java.util.Scanner;
class Main {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    Scanner sc = new Scanner(System.in);
    System.out.print("Enter the number of stars: ");
    int n = Integer.parseInt(sc.nextLine());
    //top
    int stars;
    int betweenDash;
    if(n % 2 == 0){
        stars = 2;
        betweenDash = 2;
    }
    else{
        stars = 1;
        betweenDash = 1;
    }
    String dashes = generateFrom("-",(n-stars)/2);
    String starSym = generateFrom("*",stars);
    System.out.print(dashes);
    System.out.print(starSym);
    System.out.print(dashes);
    System.out.println();
    //under top
    int sideDash;
    if(n>4){
        int k = 0;
        if(n%2 == 0){
            k = n/3+1;
        }
        else {
            k=n/3;
        }

        for(int i=0;i<(n-3)/2;i++){
            sideDash = (n-(betweenDash+2))/2;
            String side = generateFrom("-", sideDash);
            String between = generateFrom("-", betweenDash);
            System.out.print(side);
            System.out.print("*");
            System.out.print(between);
            System.out.print("*");
            System.out.print(side);
            System.out.println();
            betweenDash+=2;
        }
    }
    //middle

    if(n>2 && n!=1){
    String middleDash = generateFrom("-",n-2);
    System.out.print("*");
    System.out.print(middleDash);
    System.out.print("*");
    System.out.println();}
    //under middle
    betweenDash -= 2;
    if(n>4){

        for(int i=(n-3)/2;i>0;i--){
            sideDash = (n-(betweenDash+2))/2;
            String side = generateFrom("-", sideDash);
            String between = generateFrom("-", betweenDash);
            System.out.print(side);
            System.out.print("*");
            System.out.print(between);
            System.out.print("*");
            System.out.print(side);
            System.out.println();
            betweenDash-=2;
        }
    }
    //bottom
    if(n>2){
        System.out.print(dashes);
        System.out.print(starSym);
        System.out.print(dashes);
        System.out.println();
    }

}



  public static String generateFrom(String symbol, int numberOfStars){
    StringBuffer builder = new StringBuffer();
    for(int i = 0;i< numberOfStars;i++){
      builder.append(symbol);
    }
    return builder.toString();
  }
}