Cellular Automata: A Discrete Universe - Softcover

Andrew Ilachinski

Softcover

ISBN 10: 981238183X ISBN 13: 9789812381835

Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company, 2001

Synopsis

Cellular automata are a class of spatially and temporally discrete mathematical systems characterized by local interaction and synchronous dynamical evolution. Introduced by the mathematician John von Neumann in the 1950s as simple models of biological self-reproduction, they are prototypical models for complex systems and processes consisting of a large number of simple, homogeneous, locally interacting components. Cellular automata have been the focus of great attention over the years because of their ability to generate a rich spectrum of very complex patterns of behavior out of sets of relatively simple underlying rules. Moreover, they appear to capture many essential features of complex self-organizing cooperative behavior observed in real systems.This book provides a summary of the basic properties of cellular automata, and explores in depth many important cellular-automata-related research areas, including artificial life, chaos, emergence, fractals, nonlinear dynamics, and self-organization. It also presents a broad review of the speculative proposition that cellular automata may eventually prove to be theoretical harbingers of a fundamentally new information-based, discrete physics. Designed to be accessible at the junior/senior undergraduate level and above, the book will be of interest to all students, researchers, and professionals wanting to learn about order, chaos, and the emergence of complexity. It contains an extensive bibliography and provides a listing of cellular automata resources available on the World Wide Web.

About this title

Review

CA enthusiasts will want copies on their shelves. -- Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society, 2003

Every once in a while a book comes along that elegantly represents an entire field... such a definitive text. -- Professor Halpern

Recommended to any person interested in the fascinating world of cellular automata. -- Zentralblatt MATH

This is both an exceptionally beautiful and a timely book about this fascinating topic. -- Mathematical Reviews

Edition details

• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 981238183X
• ISBN 13: 9789812381835
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 840