Map

Not to be confused with MAP strings, a common method of notating non-isotropic cellular automata.

A map is a visual diagram obtained from a pattern, generally an oscillator, which reveals and highlights specific properties of said pattern.

Period map

A period map of an oscillator displays different constituent cells of said oscillator differently, usually in different colors, as to highlight which constituent cells oscillate at certain periods.

The first well-known implementation of period maps was by Oscillizer, which allowed for these to be displayed for valid sufficiently-low-period oscillators specifically in Conway's Game of Life. As of December 2022, LifeViewer's Identify functionality also produces period maps for oscillators up to a period of 4194304, provided sufficient memory is available; as of April 2023, all supported 2-state rulespaces can have period maps created. Nakano is also capable of creating period maps.

Period maps