automata

A small program written for fun, which runs 2D cellular automata models and saves the output as a gif image. The gif generation code was implemented following Matthew Flickinger's excellent guide to the gif format.

Currently the only model implemented is Conway's Game of Life, which can be started either with a random selection of cells or with a single glider.

Examples

Usage

Build the project using CMake, then run as follows:

 automata <filename> <model> <number of frames> <scale> <grid width> <grid height>  <model specific options>

Arguments:

• filename - The name of the gif file to be generated.
• model - The model to be run. Current options:
  • conway-glider - Starts a single glider in the top left corner.
  • conway-random - Starts a random selection of live cells.
• number of frames - How many steps of the model will be in the final gif.
• scale - How many pixels per model cell in the generated gif.
• grid width - Number of cells along the x axis of the model.
• grid height - Number of cells along the y axis of the model.
• model specific options - Arguments specific to the chosen model:
  • conway-glider: No additional arguments
  • conway-random: One argument, value 0-255, which determines the probability for a cell to be live.