This Life lexicon is compiled by Stephen A. Silver from various sources
and
may be copied, modified and distributed
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See the original credit page for all
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Running a partial result works for a few generations until the speed of light corruption from any unfinished edge destroys the whole object. But a partial result can still be used to see whether the object (if ever finished) would provide a desired spark or perturbation. If no partial results are found then it is likely that no such object exists under the constraints of the search.
Very large partial results can indicate that there is a good chance that the object being searched for might actually exist (but this is no guarantee). Rerunning the search using the partial result as a base and relaxing some constraints, widening or adjusting the search area, or splitting the object into multiple arms might result in finding a complete working object.
As an example, here is a large partial result for a period 6 knightship found by Josh Ball in April 2017. The first 22 columns were rediscovered in 2018 as part of the successful search for Sir Robin. See also almost knightship for an earlier small example by Eugene Langvagen.
The Game of Life is not your typical computer game. It is a cellular automaton, and was invented by Cambridge mathematician John Conway.
This game became widely known when it was mentioned in an article published by Scientific American in 1970. It consists of a grid of cells which, based on a few mathematical rules, can live, die or multiply. Depending on the initial conditions, the cells form various patterns throughout the course of the game.
Each cell with one or no neighbors dies, as if by solitude.
Each cell with four or more neighbors dies, as if by overpopulation.
Each cell with two or three neighbors survives.
Each cell with three neighbors becomes populated.
Video’s about the Game of Life
Interesting articles about John Conway
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