Search program: Difference between revisions
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A '''search program''' is a computer program or script that automates the search for | A '''search program''' is a computer program or script that automates the search for objects having certain desired properties. These are used because the difficulty of finding previously unknown objects, especially in Life, now commonly exceeds the patience, speed, and accuracy of humans. Various types of search programs are used for finding objects such as [[spaceship]]s, [[oscillator]]s, [[drifter]]s, [[catalyst]]s, [[soup]]s, [[Garden of Eden|Gardens of Eden]], and [[slow salvo]]s. | ||
A notable early example of computer searches being used to find cellular automata patterns was [[Dean Hickerson]]'s oscillator and spaceship search program in {{year|1989}}, which found patterns such as [[caterer]], [[monogram]], [[fumarole]], [[64P2H1V0]], [[84P3H1V0.1]], [[119P4H1V0]]. The latter two of these were the first known spaceships of speeds [[c/3 orthogonal|c/3]] and [[c/4 orthogonal]] respectively. More recently, [[Sir Robin]], the first [[elementary]] [[oblique spaceship]] in Conway's Game of Life, was discovered by [[Adam P. Goucher]] in {{year|2018}} using a new search program known as [[ikpx]]. | |||
A list of search programs is maintained on [[LifeWiki: | Some search programs generate [[partial result]]s as they are running, so even if they don't complete successfully, something of use might still be salvaged from the run. | ||
A list of search programs is maintained on [[LifeWiki:Life links#Downloadable Computation and/or Search Software|a separate page]]. | |||
There are other types of programs which don't perform searches as such, but instead perform large constructions. These are used to correctly complete very complicated objects such as the [[Caterpillar]], [[Gemini]], [[Caterloopillar]], and universal constructor-based spaceships such as the [[Demonoid]]s and [[Orthogonoid]]s. | There are other types of programs which don't perform searches as such, but instead perform large constructions. These are used to correctly complete very complicated objects such as the [[Caterpillar]], [[Gemini]], [[Caterloopillar]], and universal constructor-based spaceships such as the [[Demonoid]]s and [[Orthogonoid]]s. | ||
Programs that search multiple rules for causing a pattern to exhibit certain properties also exist, such as [[Logic Life Search]]. | |||
==Also see== | |||
* [[Tutorials/Software]] | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{LinkLexicon|lex_s.htm#searchprogram}} | * {{LinkLexicon|lex_s.htm#searchprogram}} | ||
Forum threads: | |||
* {{LinkForumThread|format=ref|f=11|t=2368|title=apgsearch - haul requests}} | |||
* {{LinkForumThread|format=ref|f=11|t=3651|title=Requests for Searches - Non-apgsearch}} | |||
* {{LinkForumThread|format=ref|f=9|t=5938|title=Search Requests Thread}} | |||
* {{LinkForumThread|format=ref|f=11|t=6026|title=Thread for your completed searches using any software}} | |||
[[Category:Software| ]] | |||
[[Category:Search software| ]] | |||
Latest revision as of 22:00, 11 September 2023
A search program is a computer program or script that automates the search for objects having certain desired properties. These are used because the difficulty of finding previously unknown objects, especially in Life, now commonly exceeds the patience, speed, and accuracy of humans. Various types of search programs are used for finding objects such as spaceships, oscillators, drifters, catalysts, soups, Gardens of Eden, and slow salvos.
A notable early example of computer searches being used to find cellular automata patterns was Dean Hickerson's oscillator and spaceship search program in 1989, which found patterns such as caterer, monogram, fumarole, 64P2H1V0, 84P3H1V0.1, 119P4H1V0. The latter two of these were the first known spaceships of speeds c/3 and c/4 orthogonal respectively. More recently, Sir Robin, the first elementary oblique spaceship in Conway's Game of Life, was discovered by Adam P. Goucher in 2018 using a new search program known as ikpx.
Some search programs generate partial results as they are running, so even if they don't complete successfully, something of use might still be salvaged from the run.
A list of search programs is maintained on a separate page.
There are other types of programs which don't perform searches as such, but instead perform large constructions. These are used to correctly complete very complicated objects such as the Caterpillar, Gemini, Caterloopillar, and universal constructor-based spaceships such as the Demonoids and Orthogonoids.
Programs that search multiple rules for causing a pattern to exhibit certain properties also exist, such as Logic Life Search.
Also see
External links
- Search program at the Life Lexicon
Forum threads:
- apgsearch - haul requests (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- Requests for Searches - Non-apgsearch (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- Search Requests Thread (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- Thread for your completed searches using any software (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums