CGOL stands for "Conway's Game of Life," which is a cellular automaton devised by the mathematician John Horton Conway in 1970. CGOL is not a traditional game in the typical sense, but rather a set of rules that governs the evolution of patterns on a two-dimensional grid.
In CGOL, the grid consists of an array of square cells, where each cell can be either "alive" or "dead." The evolution of the grid is determined solely by the initial configuration and follows four simple rules:
1. Any live cell with fewer than two live neighbors dies, as if by underpopulation.
2. Any live cell with two or three live neighbors lives on to the next generation.
3. Any live cell with more than three live neighbors dies, as if by overpopulation.
4. Any dead cell with exactly three live neighbors becomes a live cell, as if by reproduction.
These rules are applied simultaneously to every cell at each time step, resulting in the emergence of fascinating patterns and behaviors. CGOL showcases the concept of emergence and self-organization, as even from simple initial configurations, complex and unpredictable patterns can arise.
CGOL has gained considerable popularity due to its simplicity and ability to generate intricate structures, patterns, and even simulations of complex systems. It is widely studied in the fields of mathematics, computer science, and artificial life, serving as a tool for exploring various concepts related to computation, pattern formation, and complexity theory. Furthermore, its visual appeal and interactive nature make it a favorite among hobbyists and enthusiasts alike.
