Cellular automata were introduced by von Neumann and Ulam as simple models for self-reproduction. On an abstract level, the automata are the models of spatially distributed processes. They consist of an array of cells, each of which is allowed to be in one of a few states. Each cell looks to its neighbours and determine what state it should change to using a predefined simple rule.
To start simulation of a 2D cellular automata, one should first create an instance of the HCellular class. Once the instance is created, it should be easy to check the available methods as:
>>>from jhplot import * >> c=HCellular() >> print c.getRules() [Aggregation, Aqua, AquaP2, BlockVN, Check24, Check29, Check35, Check25ByGA, CyclicCA8, CyclicCA14, VN, Life, Life2, Generation, GMBrain, Hodge, Ising, Stripe]Learn about the rules using the documentation help by calling c.doc() How to access the rule class and the initial configuration? This can be done using the methods:
>>> print c.getRule() >>> print c.getInitString()
One can change initial configuration with the setInitString(string). The most convenient way is to write a configuration to an external file. You can read the rules by looking at the API.