[[Image:slide_gun.png|framed|right|A simple slide gun<br/>{{JavaRLE|slidegun}}]] A '''slide gun''' is a [[gun]] the fires [[glider]]s or other [[spaceship]]s sideways from an extending arm. The arm consists of a salvo of spaceships which are continually pushing a [[still life]] or small constellation, releasing a glider in the process. This releases a wave of spaceships rather than a stream, as each spaceship is on a different path. The first slide gun was constructed by [[Dietrich Leithner]] in July [[:Category:patterns found in 1994|1994]], and was based on a diagonal [[block]]-pushing reaction.
{{Glossary}}
A '''slide gun''' is a [[gun]] that fires [[glider]]s or other [[spaceship]]s sideways from an extending arm. The arm consists of a [[salvo]] of spaceships which are continually pushing a [[still life]] or small [[constellation]], releasing a glider in the process. This releases a wave of spaceships rather than a stream, as each spaceship is on a different path. The first slide gun was constructed by [[Dietrich Leithner]] in July {{year|1994}}, and was based on a diagonal [[block]]-pushing reaction.
[[Image:tethered_rake.png|framed|right|A [[switch engine]]-based tethered rake<br/>{{JavaRLE|tetheredrake}}]]A '''tethered rake''' is similar to a slide gun in that it has an extending arm, but the end of the arm is in constant motion. This may mean that it has a spaceship or a volatile reaction at its front. Due to the precise timing of gliders or other spaceships required to support such reactions, tethered rakes are often more [[period]]-dependent than slide guns.
A '''tethered rake''' is similar to a slide gun in that it has an extending arm, but the end of the arm is in constant motion. This may mean that it has a spaceship or a volatile reaction at its front. Due to the precise timing of gliders or other spaceships required to support such reactions, tethered rakes are often more [[period]]-dependent than slide guns.
A simple example of a tethered rake is a [[Simkin glider gun]] aimed at one of the [[duoplet]] sparks of a [[58P5H1V1]] spaceship. <!--Two of these can be combined to make a [[bi-block]] SS/MS [[puffer]].-->
|caption = A [[switch engine]]-based tethered rake
|style = width:300px;
}}
==See also==
==See also==
*[[Blockstacker]]
* [[Barbershop]]
* [[Blockstacker]]
==External links==
==External links==
{{LinkLexicon|lex_s.htm#slidegun}}
* {{LinkLexicon|lex_s.htm#slidegun}}
[[Category:Guns]]
Latest revision as of 23:23, 13 January 2023
A slide gun is a gun that fires gliders or other spaceships sideways from an extending arm. The arm consists of a salvo of spaceships which are continually pushing a still life or small constellation, releasing a glider in the process. This releases a wave of spaceships rather than a stream, as each spaceship is on a different path. The first slide gun was constructed by Dietrich Leithner in July 1994, and was based on a diagonal block-pushing reaction.
A tethered rake is similar to a slide gun in that it has an extending arm, but the end of the arm is in constant motion. This may mean that it has a spaceship or a volatile reaction at its front. Due to the precise timing of gliders or other spaceships required to support such reactions, tethered rakes are often more period-dependent than slide guns.