Java Applet: GameOfLife

You can create or destroy a cell by clicking on it, and you can play Cupid or Mars scribbling with the mouse pointer. Try creating the following initial patterns:

• Start with an empty area and create a row of 7 live cells:

  		 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
  		 

  This pattern evolves into 4 "beehive" still life forms.

• Create 3 of the preceding patterns separated by 5 empty rows:

  		 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
  		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  		 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
  		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  		 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
  		 

  This one evolves into a periodic pattern known as the "pulsar".

• The "glider"

  		 1 1 1
  		 0 0 1
  		 0 1 0
  		 

  is an example of a stable moving life form.

Check out the Life Lexicon: This dictionay of terms relating to Conway's Game of Life includes dozens of patterns which generate persistent life forms.

Click for java source file: GameOfLife.java.
This applet uses the comphys package.

Maintained by: Dr. R.J. Gonsalves
Last updated: