User:Pzq Alex/Replicator

(Note: this was originally intended to be a forum post, but I prefer not to save drafts on the forums (as saving multiple draft versions of the same post creates multiple drafts), so it's here on the wiki instead. )

This post (hopefully) demystifies the theory behind those oscillators and spaceships based on replicators. These include the "replicators in a tube oscillators" (e.g. B2ae/S), "Basilisk-type spaceships" (e.g. Basilisk), and the Margolus rule emulated by B3/S5.

Terminology

All replicators are assumed to be 1D replicators that are unit cells of W90 or W150. One cell in the emulated rule is called a "unit" length in the original rule (emulator rule?). In addition, we assume three additional types of constructs:

• A "blocker", which prevents any replicators from being spawned on its place;
• A "push", when a replicator is behind it, moves forward one unit.
• A "pull", when a replicator is in front of it, moves forward one unit.

Obviously, an oscillator will require blockers at either end, and a spaceship requires a push at the front and a pull at the back.