A CA- Applet
Despite being one dimensional, the CA may extend also
into the second dimension, which is illustrated by the following applet.
Initially it depicts a one dimensional CA. As one clicks on the "longer"
button the CA broadens and becomes two dimensional. Initially only
one CA state at a time may interact with the environment. As the CA
widens more states have the option to interact. Actually the CA is isolated
and does not interact. Its structure change indicates that it prepares
itself for interaction with the environment.
Hitherto interactions between CA were one dimensional. Only the present
state interacted. The applet depicts that the CA may mobilize additional
states which then will interact with environment in parallel.
Let’s remember that each state is an action memory (view also Regeneration ). When the memory is triggered it turns into an action which unfolds during the subsequent time intervals. As the CA broadens it may trigger more and more states which jointly interact and evolve. Their interaction is a non-linear parallel computation.
Click "plant" to plant a zygote. Initially the zygote differentiates until becoming a mature CA with a period of 46.
Additional reading:
Streaming Organism