do I write a program to Create a C++ console application that uses cout to display a box of asterisks?
A box of asterisks is displayed line by line.
Try to draw a box of asterisks by hand to determine how you construct each line, i.e. how many asterisks followed by how many spaces, etc.
Each line drawn correspond to a cout command. Now study the C++ language to see how asterisks can be displayed using the cout command, and construct each command individually.
If you find duplications in the cout commands, you will have the opportunity to simplify your programme by looping structures (for, do...).
Try to write the program and if it does not compile, or if it does not give what you want, post your programme for further help.