Conduit: Difference between revisions
→Herschel conduits: there are also combinations G-to-H + H-to-G which do not have a H-to-H stage, as well as the Jubjub reflector |
post153842 for some H-to-HF-to-Gs |
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* The input must have enough clearance that an object can get there. Some regions, like B-heptominoes, usually come from certain directions, so make sure that direction isn't blocked. | * The input must have enough clearance that an object can get there. Some regions, like B-heptominoes, usually come from certain directions, so make sure that direction isn't blocked. | ||
* The input region is common enough. For example, there are a lot more [[U-turner]] input conduits than output conduits, but as more U-turner output conduits get found, the input conduits become more useful. | * The input region is common enough. For example, there are a lot more [[U-turner]] input conduits than output conduits, but as more U-turner output conduits get found, the input conduits become more useful. | ||
* The input and output regions expand enough. [[Honey farm]]s don't expand much and don't have that much use in conduits. Similarly, [[lumps of muck]] may appear useful, but they expand symmetrically from the origin rather than moving in one direction and aren't used in conduits much. | * The input and output regions expand enough. [[Honey farm]]s don't expand much and don't have that much use in conduits (with some known exceptions, like composite H-to-Gs<ref name="post153842" />). Similarly, [[lumps of muck]] may appear useful, but they expand symmetrically from the origin rather than moving in one direction and aren't used in conduits much. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
<references> | <references> | ||
<ref name="post153842">{{LinkForumThread | |||
|format = ref | |||
|p = 153842 | |||
|title = Re: H-to-G and H-to-Gn converter collection | |||
|author = Sphenocorona | |||
|date = November 19, 2022 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
</references> | </references> | ||
Revision as of 15:09, 16 February 2023
A conduit is an arrangement of still lifes and/or oscillators that move an active object to another location without themselves being permanently damaged. The object may be transformed into a different active object in the process, but no permanent debris may be left behind. Alternatively, gliders or other spaceships may be emitted; they will either abandon the site of their creation, or can be absorbed by eaters. Probably the most important conduit is conduit 1, in which a B-heptomino is transformed into a Herschel in 59 generations.
Herschel conduits
- Main article: Herschel conduit
The most prolific stable conduits are those which rotate, reflect or translate a Herschel in a certain number of generations. Oscillators of all periods >= 58 can be built using these elementary conduits. All except the smallest stable reflectors use Herschel conduits, some of the counter-examples being the Snark, rectifier, and boojum reflector.
Creating a useful conduit
For an elementary conduit to be useful, the following must be true:
- The output must have enough clearance that it doesn't hit a catalyst before it can be perturbed.
- The input must have enough clearance that an object can get there. Some regions, like B-heptominoes, usually come from certain directions, so make sure that direction isn't blocked.
- The input region is common enough. For example, there are a lot more U-turner input conduits than output conduits, but as more U-turner output conduits get found, the input conduits become more useful.
- The input and output regions expand enough. Honey farms don't expand much and don't have that much use in conduits (with some known exceptions, like composite H-to-Gs[1]). Similarly, lumps of muck may appear useful, but they expand symmetrically from the origin rather than moving in one direction and aren't used in conduits much.
See also
- Conduits (category)
References
- ↑ Sphenocorona (November 19, 2022). Re: H-to-G and H-to-Gn converter collection (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
External links
- Conduit at the Life Lexicon
- Buckingham on B-heptominos in oscillators at Paul Callahan's Page of Conway's Life Miscellany
- Buckingham discussing stable reflectors and Herschel tracks at Paul Callahan's Page of Conway's Life Miscellany
- Stephen Silver on stable reflectors at Paul Callahan's Page of Conway's Life Miscellany
- [1] Brief summary of stable technology
- The Hunting of the New Herschel Conduits (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums (contains links to other useful conduit-related forum threads)