Revision as of 15:21, 26 May 2025 by PK22(talk | contribs)(I think 'apgsearch' fits better than 'Catagolue', as apgsearch is what actually finds the patterns.)
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Partial result due to the following reason: besides the way in which they're presented, is there a considerable difference between these two concepts? (Discuss)
A troll is a pattern that looks like it works, even though it doesn't. There are three main types of trolls: cell placement trolls, hidden cell trolls, and loop trolls. One of each type is shown below. Trolls usually use LifeViewer commands.
While the examples below are all oscillators or guns, spaceship trolls and glider synthesis trolls also exist.
This is a troll period-193 glider gun that would be a bakery hassler if it was legitimate. The LifeViewer commands are "ZOOM 12 THUMBSIZE 2 PASTET EVERY 193 110 PASTE o! -3 10 PASTE o! 13 -1". This means that in generation 110 and every 193 after that, the cells (-3,10) and (13,-1) are turned on. This is unnoticeable unless you know it's there. However, if this was real, apgsearch would have found it many times by now. (click above to open LifeViewer)
This is vex with four hidden LifeHistory state-6 (killer) cells, as there are no known completions of vex in plain Life that don't rely on other p41 oscillators. The LifeViewer commands are "COLOR 6 255 255 255", which makes the killer cells look the same color as the background. Pressing "c" will change the LifeViewer theme and reveal where the killer cells are. (click above to open LifeViewer)
This is a troll p105 R-pentomino hassler. The reason it doesn't work is because the R-pentominoes regenerate after 104 generations rather than 105, making them incompatible with the pentadecathlons. If you look carefully, you can see that generation 104 and generation 0, which are consecutive with LOOP 105, have the R-pentominoes in the same position. (click above to open LifeViewer)
Despite generally being novelties, discussion of such patterns have occasionally resulted in actual discoveries, David Hilbert being a very notable example.[1]
References
↑ praosylen (November 17th, 2019). Re: Thread for your Trolls (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
