Automata

Automata is a Java cellular automata explorer. Currently, Automata implements a number of rules for two-dimensional, two-state cellular automata like the classic Game of Life by John Conway, but the architecture is very simple to extend, and future versions will support n-state CAs.

Automata also has a small but easy to extend library of glider patterns which can be drawn into the simulations.

Features (Version 1.2.4)

Now no longer requires Java 1.4! Will work with Java 1.3 and higher.
Generalized rule sets which are easy to build on or extend.
User-editable colors.
Cell "aging", which fades cells as they age.
Ability to draw glider shapes.
"Wrap-around", the universe is finite but unbounded, eliminating edge effects.

Screenshots

A collection of screenshots of the application running.

Download

Mac OS X distribution (binary only):	Automata-1.2.4.dmg
Source and binary, all platforms (ZIP):	automata-1.2.4.zip
Source and binary, all platforms (TAR):	automata-1.2.4.tar.gz

Running

Automata requirs the Java runtime, version 1.3 or later.

The Mac OS X executable is built using Jar Bundler, and can simply be double-clicked.

For other platforms, the distribution ZIP file contains both source and an executable JAR file. Unpack the ZIP file, and cd to the bin directory. You should be able to run Automata by typing:

       java -jar automata.jar

A skimpy README.TXT file is included.

License

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.