That is the best organization of the problem. All that I can add is a slimy trick. The spec said output, but did not say where that data had to go: 
warn$"x abs,"*"x(7-2*abs),$/for-3..3

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I am not sure whether saving this character would be legal in a real golf competition...

In reply to Re (tilly) 2: Programming Contest (High School '87) by tilly
in thread Programming Contest (High School '87) by mr.nick

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