:元胞自动机不仅是理论计算机科学领域的一个重要的计算模型,而且可视为一无限维的离散动力系统,被广泛应用于

自然科学和社会科学各领域的复杂性的研究中,是一个重要的研究方法和工具。该文以Matlab 为开发工具,开发了元胞自

动机的可视模型,为其在各个领域的复杂性研究提供了一个简易、可行的计算机仿真工具-MATLAB s version of Conway s Game of Life.

　"Life" is a cellular automaton invented by John

　　Conway that involves live and dead cells in a　

　　rectangular, two-dimensional universe. In MATLAB, the universe is a sparse matrix that　　is initially all zero.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Whether cells stay alive, die, or nerate new　 cells depends upon how many of their eight　　

　possible neighbors are alive. By using sparse matrices, the calculations required become astonishingly simple. We use periodic (torus)　 boundary conditions at the edges of the　　　　

　　universe. Pressing the "Start" button　　　　　

　automatically seeds this universe with several　 small random communities. Some will succeed　and some will fail.