How Do I Use This Activity?

This activity allows the user to simulate a game that imitates real life.

This Java applet requires a Java-capable browser. If you don't see the applet Java may not be functional in your browser or on your machine.

Controls and Output

• The Start button on the right side of the applet begins applying the rules to the grid on the left. The button becomes the Stop button after it has been pressed.

• The Stop button appears when the applet is applying the rules to the grid on the left. When pressed, the cycle stops. The button becomes the Start button after it has been pressed.

• The Step button causes the game to advance by one turn ONLY.
  

• The Clear button resets the entire grid to an empty population.

• The Random button pops up a window that allows you to enter a decimal value between 0.00 and 1.00 to specify the percentage in which the grid is filled.

• The Rules button pops up a window that shows the current rules for the simulation, and allows you to modify them.

• The Stats button pops up a window that graphically displays population statistics for the grid over the past 250 iterations.

• The Pointer Selection choice is below the Random button, and it allows you to specify what pattern is applied to the grid when you click on it. The default is a single pixel.

• The Boundary Selection choice is below the Pointer Selection choice, and it specifies whether the grid will wrap around the sides (toroid), or if it has walls up on all sides (island).