Gettingstarted

Getting Started

Installing .Net

The Life Simulation Challenge runs on Windows, Linux, and OS X. In order to run the software and implement your own Lifelet class, you must have the Microsoft .Net Framework or Mono Framework installed.

Windows

• Microsoft .Net: Download and install Visual Studio
• Mono: Download and install MonoDevelop

Linux Debian

• Mono: Run sudo aptitude install mono monodevelop

Linux openSUSE

• Mono: One-Click-Install

OS X

• Mono: Download and install MonoDevelop

Compiling

Grab the source from Github. You can do this via Git or HTTP:

• Git Read-Only: git clone git://github.com/dankrusi/life-simulation-challenge.git
• Git SSH: git clone git@github.com:dankrusi/life-simulation-challenge.git
• HTTP ZIP: https://github.com/dankrusi/life-simulation-challenge/zipball/master

Build:

• Visual Studio: msbuild LifeSimulation.sln
• Mono: mdtool build LifeSimulation.sln

Examples

The following example Races are included with the Framework:

• Random Race
• Cannibal Race
• Snake Race

Study the examples to get a quick grasp how things work.

Creating a Race

• In the Life Simulation (LifeSimulation.sln) solution, add a new Library project with the namespace LifeSimulation.Races.[YourName]Race.
• Under the project options, set the output dir to the bin folder and target framework to .Net 4.0.
• Add a reference to the Core project.
• Add a new class [YourName]Lifelet, which implements the Lifelet class.
• Override the properties Race and Author accordingly.
• Implement the method Simulate.

Testing

• Build your Race project and make sure the DLL files appear in the Life Simulation bin folder.
• Run the Core project GUI and select your Lifelets.
• Use the key D to toggle the debug display.