DigiHive

A simulation of the von Neumann's universal constructor in DigiHive. Empty circles represent unbound particles while the filled ones represent particles which are part of complexes. The universal constructor (a set of several cooperating programs) joins an information string (the oblique structure) and builds a circle shape structure according to its description encoded by the information string.

DigiHive is an abstract environment for the artificial life modeling. The environment simulates a large number of entities called particles (represented by hexagonal tiles) on a two-dimensional continuous space, with periodic boundary condition. Particles move and collide according to rules of a simplified classical mechanics (incl. the conservation of energy and the conservation of momentum laws). After a collision the involved particles can join together forming a complex of particles. A complex consists of at least two particles, the types and locations of the forming particles defines a structure of the complex.

The most important feature of the environment is, that the structure of each complex is interpreted as a program written in a declarative Prolog-like language. Therefore, complexes are capable of recognizing and manipulating other complexes (or individual particles) around them. A single program is able to perform only very simple actions - like creating and removing bonds between nearby particles, but in a highly selective manner.

There is no single program that directs other programs. The global behaviour is always an emergent result of simple local interactions.

See also

• Artificial Life
• Prolog

External links

• DigiHive website

References