The Game of Life is a ‘cellular automaton’,
which was invented by John Conway in 1970.
It consists of a collection of cells which is
in one of two possible states, alive or dead. These cells are based on a few
mathematical rules as below.
The Rules
"For a space that is ‘populated’ (live
cell)"
Each live cell with one or no neighbors
dies, as if by under-population.
Each live cell with four or more neighbors
dies, as if caused by overcrowding.
Each live cell with two or three neighbors
survives.
"For a space that is ‘empty’ or ‘unpopulated’
(dead cell)"
Each dead cell with three live neighbors
becomes populated, as if by reproduction.
Advantages of CA
Intuitive to visualize (2D/3D) spatially
Easy to communicate
Simple to create/ theory is simple
Can model random variation perhaps better
than equation
Disadvantages of CA
Difficult to analyse
Difficult to apply to real world
Utility of simulation is limited
Cannot make specific predictions
CA is...
・Good for understanding mechanisms
・Simple system which can give highly variable
outcomes
・Complex global behavior from local
interaction