Life v1.0
------------

Intro

This is a TI-83 version of a classic computer program, like every other calc program out there, that simulates a simple cell culture governed by a small set of rules:

1. If any living cell has less than two cells directly adjacent to it, it dies of isolation

2. If any living cell has four or more cells directly adjacent to it, it dies of overcrowding

3. If any space exists with exactly three cells directly adjacent to it, it spawns new life.



System Requirements

TI-83 or emulator thereof


Installation

Copy LIFE, ZLIFE, ZASMLOAD and Pic1 to your calculator


Instructions

Draw/recall/graph any picture on the graph screen.  Run LIFE.  Look at the pretty pictures.
Press clear to exit.
I suggest you watch the axes come alive for a while, then take a look at Pic1.
Due to the explosive nature of some of the bottom patterns, you might need to draw these on an empty screen to get the full effect

note: Shell support was intentionally left out, as most shells reset the graph screen before running a program.


Known Bugs/Limitations

none


Surgeon General's Warning

Two out of three people surveyed reported cases of temporary addiction to Life, sometimes lasting three hours or more.  Do not combine with medication under any circumstances.  Do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery while playing Life.  Extended exposure to Life may cause paranoia and loss of vision. 

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.



Version History

1.2: 2.5x speed increase, all bugs fixed

1.1: 7x speed increase, minor bug fix

1.0: came into existence


Credits
Idea by John Conway
Patterns in Pic1 taken from Life II (After Dark Module) by Ben Haller and Microsoft LifeGenesis
TI-83 program by Michael Hoyt

If anyone is interested in the source code, or if you want it ported to another calculator, or have any other requests, complaints, praise, etc., email me.

mikehoyt@compassnet.com