Introduction - Revision history

PhiNotPi: Fixed typos

2014-02-15T00:40:09Z

Fixed typos

PhiNotPi: Fixed typos

2014-02-15T00:39:17Z

Fixed typos

Shasta: /* Battle Bots */

2011-07-25T09:36:58Z

‎Battle Bots

Ante: /* Mutations and Natural Selection */

2008-01-28T06:28:55Z

‎Mutations and Natural Selection

Ante: to two too there their they're effect affect lern2read

2008-01-28T06:23:19Z

to two too there their they're effect affect lern2read

Martian: To make sure people realize it's a joke.

2007-07-16T16:37:28Z

To make sure people realize it's a joke.

Numsgil: sp

2006-07-07T06:06:49Z

Numsgil: /* What are bots? */

2006-04-21T17:54:50Z

‎What are bots?

Numsgil: /* Battle Bots */

2006-04-21T16:34:36Z

‎Battle Bots

Numsgil: Copy-Edit

2006-04-21T06:05:09Z

Copy-Edit

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 ===Battle Bots===
-Battle bots are similar to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Neumann_probe#Berserkers Von Neuman Berserker probes], like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replicators the replicators in Star Gate]
+Battle bots are similar to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Neumann_probe#Berserkers Von Neumann Berserker probes], like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replicators the replicators in Star Gate]
 While the program has been developed mainly to simulate artificial life and evolution, it has also been used as a playground for testing programming skills.  Complex DNA programs for bots can be designed from scratch since the DNA language is human-understandable.  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design user designed] bots are placed in an arena where they fight until one species wins. Several [[league]]s have been established with different rules and ratings that are periodically updated as new species are introduced.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Darwinbots is an open source artificial life simulator which attempts to simulate artificial life and evolution.  It simulates [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Neumann_machine Von Neuman Machines] (and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Neumann_probe Von Neumann probes] like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey#Synopsis the Monolith]) better than it simulates biological life necessarily.
+Darwinbots is an open source artificial life simulator which attempts to simulate artificial life and evolution.  It simulates [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Neumann_machine Von Neumann Machines] (and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Neumann_probe Von Neumann probes] like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey#Synopsis the Monolith]) better than it simulates biological life necessarily.
 == Darwinbots ==
-Similar to other ALife programs (such as Avida notably) organisms (called "bots" hereafter) are simulated by a DNA script which defines behavior.  Conceptually the DNA is a large Finite State Machine that reads various sensory inputs, modifies them, and connects them to various outputs and actions.  Bot DNA files are in ascii with a .txt extension, which allows anyone familiar with the DNA language to write and share DNA files with notepad.
+Similar to other ALife programs (such as Avida notably) organisms (called "bots" hereafter) are simulated by a DNA script which defines behavior.  Conceptually the DNA is a large Finite State Machine that reads various sensory inputs, modifies them, and connects them to various outputs and actions.  Bot DNA files are in ASCII with a .txt extension, which allows anyone familiar with the DNA language to write and share DNA files with notepad.
 The bots' world is a large non-discrete plane.  There are no "grids" bots are placed in, as in cellular automata.  Rather, the bots move and roam around like ants on a giant pane of glass.
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Conceptually, Darwinbots is the ALife descendant of C Robots, as opposed to Avida or Tierra which descend from Core Wars.  Most of the universe rules in Darwinbots descend from that conceptual past.
-A certain level of abstraction is necessary to keep the simulation running at decent speeds.  [[Concept]]s help to provide that level of abstraction.  For instance, Darwinbots does not simulate proteinebiosynthesys or enzymatics.  Instead, the DNA directly controlls a bot's behavior. However you ''can'' simulate [http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormone simple hormones] by variables which controll feeding, reproduction, growth, or any other physical process.
+A certain level of abstraction is necessary to keep the simulation running at decent speeds.  [[Concept]]s help to provide that level of abstraction.  For instance, Darwinbots does not simulate proteinebiosynthesys or enzymatics.  Instead, the DNA directly controls a bot's behavior. However you ''can'' simulate [http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormone simple hormones] by variables which control feeding, reproduction, growth, or any other physical process.
 ===What are bots?===
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 The sensory inputs of bots are analyzed through its DNA, which is essentially a program, written in a specially designed FILO (First in last out memory stack/array) language, designed to be as robust to mutations as possible.  Most bots' DNA is made of only ~6-20 procedures called [[gene]]s, themselves made up of 20-200 [[operators | operation]]s.  Each operation can potentially change through [[mutation]]s.
-Every bot has its own [[Energy]] supply. Most actions cost nrg.  If a bot reaches 0 nrg, it dies.  Most bots reproduce when their nrg levels are above a certain threshold determined by the DNA.  Energy can be replenished by taking energy from other bots in the simulation (anlogous to hunting in real ecosystems), by feeding on stored energy reserves (called "body").  Bots also are resuplied by the simulation if they are [[Veggy|veggies]] or alga.  Veggies receive energy for free over time (analogous to plants in real ecosystems).
+Every bot has its own [[Energy]] supply. Most actions cost nrg.  If a bot reaches 0 nrg, it dies.  Most bots reproduce when their nrg levels are above a certain threshold determined by the DNA.  Energy can be replenished by taking energy from other bots in the simulation (analogous to hunting in real ecosystems), by feeding on stored energy reserves (called "body").  Bots also are resupplied by the simulation if they are [[Veggy|veggies]] or alga.  Veggies receive energy for free over time (analogous to plants in real ecosystems).
 Bots use non-material [[Shot|shots]] to feed, attack, remove [[waste]], infect, or communicate.  Shots are single points with no mass or physical dimensions.
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ===Mutations and Natural Selection===
-When bots reproduce, their DNA is passed to the child, sometimes with a random change, which might affect the pattern of bot's behaviour. Just as in real evolution, when a change in DNA improves the bot's ability to survive and reproduce, these new mutations will spread through the population; otherwise, they will likely disappear.  Note that the simulation itself is not directly interfacing with the DNA or mutations.  Increases or decreases in fitness are strictly emergent.  [[Junk code]] generally gives an evolutionary disadvantage through higher DNA maintenance or processing energy costs.
+When bots reproduce, their DNA is passed to the child, sometimes with a random change, which might affect the pattern of bot's behavior. Just as in real evolution, when a change in DNA improves the bot's ability to survive and reproduce, these new mutations will spread through the population; otherwise, they will likely disappear.  Note that the simulation itself is not directly interfacing with the DNA or mutations.  Increases or decreases in fitness are strictly emergent.  [[Junk code]] generally gives an evolutionary disadvantage through higher DNA maintenance or processing energy costs.
 Because the program does not directly decide how fit an organism is, a bot's survival depends on its long term, combined strategies for movement, energy management, reproduction, etc. There is no limit on sophistication of the DNA code: most user written bots can be quite complex.
@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 Battle bots are similar to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Neumann_probe#Berserkers Von Neuman Berserker probes], like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replicators the replicators in Star Gate]
-While the program has been developed mainly to simulate artifical life and evolution, it has also been used as a playground for testing programming skills.  Complex DNA programs for bots can be designed from scratch since the DNA language is human-understandable.  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design user designed] bots are placed in an arena where they fight until one species wins. Several [[league]]s have been established with different rules and ratings that are periodically updated as new species are introduced.
+While the program has been developed mainly to simulate artificial life and evolution, it has also been used as a playground for testing programming skills.  Complex DNA programs for bots can be designed from scratch since the DNA language is human-understandable.  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design user designed] bots are placed in an arena where they fight until one species wins. Several [[league]]s have been established with different rules and ratings that are periodically updated as new species are introduced.
 Note that it is considered animal cruelty if you reference *[[.pain]] in your DNA code, and you ''will'' be [http://forum.darwinbots.com/index.php?showtopic=109 prosecuted by the ASPCA.] ;-)
 Return to [[Main Page]]

@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 While the program has been developed mainly to simulate artifical life and evolution, it has also been used as a playground for testing programming skills.  Complex DNA programs for bots can be designed from scratch since the DNA language is human-understandable.  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design user designed] bots are placed in an arena where they fight until one species wins. Several [[league]]s have been established with different rules and ratings that are periodically updated as new species are introduced.
-Note that it is considered animal cruelty if you reference *[[.pain]] in your DNA code, and you ''will'' be [http://www.darwinbots.com/Forum/index.php?showtopic=109&b=1&st=&p=&#entry prosecuted by the ASPCA.] ;-)
+Note that it is considered animal cruelty if you reference *[[.pain]] in your DNA code, and you ''will'' be [http://forum.darwinbots.com/index.php?showtopic=109 prosecuted by the ASPCA.] ;-)
 Return to [[Main Page]]

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ===Mutations and Natural Selection===
-When bots reproduce, their DNA is passed to the child, sometimes with a random change, which might affect the pattern of bot's behaviour. Just as in real evolution, when a change in DNA improves the bot's ability to survive and reproduce, these new mutations will spread through the population; otherwise, they will likely disappear.  Note that the simulation itself is not directly interfacing with the DNA or mutations.  Increases or decreases in fitness are strictly emergent.  [[Junk code]] generally gives an evolutionary disadvantage trough higher DNA maintenance or processing energy costs.
+When bots reproduce, their DNA is passed to the child, sometimes with a random change, which might affect the pattern of bot's behaviour. Just as in real evolution, when a change in DNA improves the bot's ability to survive and reproduce, these new mutations will spread through the population; otherwise, they will likely disappear.  Note that the simulation itself is not directly interfacing with the DNA or mutations.  Increases or decreases in fitness are strictly emergent.  [[Junk code]] generally gives an evolutionary disadvantage through higher DNA maintenance or processing energy costs.
 Because the program does not directly decide how fit an organism is, a bot's survival depends on its long term, combined strategies for movement, energy management, reproduction, etc. There is no limit on sophistication of the DNA code: most user written bots can be quite complex.
-Unfortunately, Darwinbots evolution takes time.  Because a bot generation can last many thousand cycles, and most simulations run at maybe 15 cycles a second, it can take many hours or even several days before significant natural selection can occur.
+Unfortunately, Darwinbot evolution takes time.  Because a bot generation can last many thousand cycles, and most simulations run at maybe 15 cycles a second, it can take many hours or even several days before significant natural selection can occur.
 The optimal strategy for the impatient is to find an old computer and set up a simulation and forget it for about a week.

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ===Mutations and Natural Selection===
-When bots reproduce, their DNA is passed to the child, sometimes with a random change, which might effect the pattern of bot's behaviour. Just as in real evolution, when a change in DNA improves the bot's ability to survive and reproduce, these new mutations will spread through the population; otherwise, they will likely disappear.  Note that the simulation itself is not directly interfacing with the DNA or mutations.  Increases or decreases in fitness are strictly emergent.  [[Junk code]] generally gives an evolutionary disadvantage trough higher DNA maintenance or processing energy costs.
+When bots reproduce, their DNA is passed to the child, sometimes with a random change, which might affect the pattern of bot's behaviour. Just as in real evolution, when a change in DNA improves the bot's ability to survive and reproduce, these new mutations will spread through the population; otherwise, they will likely disappear.  Note that the simulation itself is not directly interfacing with the DNA or mutations.  Increases or decreases in fitness are strictly emergent.  [[Junk code]] generally gives an evolutionary disadvantage trough higher DNA maintenance or processing energy costs.
 Because the program does not directly decide how fit an organism is, a bot's survival depends on its long term, combined strategies for movement, energy management, reproduction, etc. There is no limit on sophistication of the DNA code: most user written bots can be quite complex.

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 Bots also have tactile senses allowing them to feel when another bot has bumped into them or when the bot is being attacked.  At present there are no long range senses available to the bots (such as sounds in higher organisms or chemical signals in bacteria).
-The sensory inputs of bots are analyzed through its DNA, which is essentially a program, written in a specially designed FILO (First in last out memory stack/array) language, designed to be as robust to mutations as possible.  Most bots' DNA is made of only ~6-20 procedures called [[gene]]s, themselves made up of 20-200 [[operation]]s.  Each operation can potentially change through [[mutation]]s.
+The sensory inputs of bots are analyzed through its DNA, which is essentially a program, written in a specially designed FILO (First in last out memory stack/array) language, designed to be as robust to mutations as possible.  Most bots' DNA is made of only ~6-20 procedures called [[gene]]s, themselves made up of 20-200 [[operators | operation]]s.  Each operation can potentially change through [[mutation]]s.
 Every bot has its own [[Energy]] supply. Most actions cost nrg.  If a bot reaches 0 nrg, it dies.  Most bots reproduce when their nrg levels are above a certain threshold determined by the DNA.  Energy can be replenished by taking energy from other bots in the simulation (anlogous to hunting in real ecosystems), by feeding on stored energy reserves (called "body").  Bots also are resuplied by the simulation if they are [[Veggy|veggies]] or alga.  Veggies receive energy for free over time (analogous to plants in real ecosystems).
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 Bots use non-material [[Shot|shots]] to feed, attack, remove [[waste]], infect, or communicate.  Shots are single points with no mass or physical dimensions.
-Bots can also make [[Tie]]s to each other that can harden to form more complex [[multicellular|Multibot]] structures that can share food or tasks, or just drag each other around.
+Bots can also make [[Tie]]s to each other that can harden to form more complex [[Multibot | multicellular]] structures that can share food or tasks, or just drag each other around.
 ===Mutations and Natural Selection===