Difference between revisions of "LifeWiki:Pattern pages"

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Pattern pages are pages within the LifeWiki that describe specific [[pattern|patterns]] of interest in Conway's Game of Life.
:'' "LW:PATTERNS" and "LW:PP" redirect here.''


===Template inclusion===
Pattern pages are pages within [[LifeWiki:About|LifeWiki]] that describe specific [[pattern]]s of interest in [[Conway's Game of Life]] and related [[cellular automata]].
All pattern pages should begin with a template inclusion that places the appropriate box on the right hand side of the page with information about that pattern. The following pattern templates can be chosen from. When none of the other templates are more appropriate (or if you are unsure of which template to use), the general "Pattern" template should be used. All of the parameters listed in the following table are optional, and should be omitted when their correct value is not known.
 
{| class="wikitable"
{{PatternTemplates|intro=true}}
|-
 
! Template
In addition to any of the template-specific parameters listed on those template pages (such as s for speed in [[Template:Spaceship]]), ''all'' pattern templates have access to the following parameters. If the value of a particular parameter is unknown to you or if you are not completely sure what a particular parameter does, it is best to omit it completely. To learn how to use these templates and parameters, it is likely best to view the source code of an existing pattern page by clicking on the "Edit" button at the top of it.
! Example page
! Parameters
|-
| [[Template:Fuse|Fuse]]
| [[baker]]
| '''p''': the period of the fuse (e.g. p=4)<br />'''s''': the speed of the fuse (e.g. s=c)
|-
| [[Template:GrowingSpaceship|GrowingSpaceship]]
| [[blinker ship 1]]
| '''dir''': the direction of the spaceship (either dir=Orthogonal or dir=Diagonal)<br />'''bp''': the period of the back part of the spaceship (e.g. bp=26)<br />'''bs''': the speed of the back part of the spaceship (e.g. bs=6c/13)<br />'''fp''': the period of the front part of the spaceship (e.g. fp=12)<br />'''fs''': the speed of the front part of the spaceship (e.g. fs=c/2)
|-
| [[Template:Gun|Gun]]
| [[Gosper glider gun]]
| '''p''': the period of the gun (e.g. p=30)
|-
| [[Template:Methuselah|Methuselah]]
| [[bunnies]]
| '''l''': number of generations before the pattern stabilizes (e.g. l=17332)
|-
| [[Template:Oscillator|Oscillator]]
| [[1-2-3]]
| '''h''': the [[heat]] of the oscillator (e.g. h=2)<br />'''p''': the [[period]] of the oscillator (e.g. p=3)
|-
| [[Template:Pattern|Pattern]]
| [[table]]
| '''type''': a category that the pattern fits into (e.g. type=[[induction coil]])
|-
| [[Template:Puffer|Puffer]]
| [[backrake 1]]
| '''dir''': the direction of the puffer (either dir=Orthogonal or dir=Diagonal)<br />'''p''': the period of the puffer (e.g. p=8)<br />'''s''': the speed of the puffer (e.g. s=c/2)
|-
| [[Template:Reflector|Reflector]]
| [[boojum reflector]]
| '''a''': the angle (in degrees) of the output glider relative to the input glider (e.g. a=180)<br /> '''type''': the type of reflector; only supports type=stable (for oscillators leave this parameter undefined)<br /> '''isosc''': should have the value "false" if the pattern does not function as an oscillator (requires a constant glider stream)<br />'''h''': the heat (if the pattern is an oscillator)<br /> '''p''': the period of the reflector, or, if it is a stable reflector, the recovery time (e.g. p=202)
|-
| [[Template:Spaceship|Spaceship]]
| [[glider]]
| '''dir''': the direction of the spaceship (either dir=Orthogonal or dir=Diagonal)<br />'''h''': the [[heat]] of the spaceship (e.g. h=4)<br />'''p''': the period of the spaceship (e.g. p=4)<br />'''s''': the speed of the spaceship (e.g. s=c/4)<br />'''type''': a subcategory of spaceships -- leave blank for a normal spaceship or if you're unsure. Only supported value now is "type=Puffer engine"
|-
| [[Template:Stilllife|Still life]]
| [[block]]
| '''type''': any of "strict", "pseudo", "eater", or "fake" (without the quotes) which refer to [[still_life#Strict still lifes|strict still lifes]], [[still_life#Pseudo still lifes|pseudo still lifes]], [[eater]]s, or other [[still life]]s, respectively. If omitted, it will default to strict still life.
|-
| [[Template:Wick|Wick]]
| [[ants]]
| '''p''': the period of the wick (e.g. p=5)<br />'''s''': the speed of the wick (e.g. s=c)
|}


In addition to the special parameters listed above, all of the above templates have the following parameters:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
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! Example
! Example
|-
|-
| name
| '''name'''
| ''(required)'' The name of the pattern being described.
| ''(required)'' The name of the pattern being described.
| name=17c/45&nbsp;reaction
| name=17c/45&nbsp;reaction
|-
|-
| pname
| '''pname'''
| ''(required)'' The name of the pattern being described, but converted to lowercase and with all non-alphanumeric characters and spaces removed.
| ''(required)'' The name of the pattern being described, but converted to lowercase and with all non-alphanumeric characters and spaces removed.
| pname=17c45reaction
| pname=17c45reaction
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| ''(optional)'' Whether or not there is a [[Run Length Encoded]] pattern file available for download for this pattern. See [[#Pattern files|Pattern files]]. Omit this parameter if the file has not been uploaded. Also controls whether or not the ''Manipulate via Java'' link appears in the sidebar for the pattern.
| ''(optional)'' Whether or not there is a [[Run Length Encoded]] pattern file available for download for this pattern. See [[#Pattern files|Pattern files]]. Omit this parameter if the file has not been uploaded. Also controls whether or not the ''Manipulate via Java'' link appears in the sidebar for the pattern.
| rle=true
| rle=true
|-
| nofile
| ''(optional)'' Whether or not pattern files have been purposely omitted and do not need to be added to the page (e.g., if the pattern file would be exceedingly large)
| nofile=true
|-
|-
| synthesis
| synthesis
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Users of the LifeWiki are able to create and edit articles and upload and edit images on the LifeWiki as they see fit, but the one action that can only be performed by the site administrator, [[User:Nathaniel|Nathaniel Johnston]], is uploading pattern files (the files in [[Life 1.05]], [[Life 1.06]], [[plaintext]] and [[RLE]] format that are downloadable from most pattern pages) for download from the LifeWiki. The reason for this restriction is twofold. First, it is for security reasons as people download and execute those files on their harddrive so the last thing we want is someone uploading a virus or some such malicious thing. Second, the server that LifeWiki is run on simply doesn't like automatic uploads of files in strange file formats.
Users of the LifeWiki are able to create and edit articles and upload and edit images on the LifeWiki as they see fit, but the one action that can only be performed by the site administrator, [[User:Nathaniel|Nathaniel Johnston]], is uploading pattern files (the files in [[Life 1.05]], [[Life 1.06]], [[plaintext]] and [[RLE]] format that are downloadable from most pattern pages) for download from the LifeWiki. The reason for this restriction is twofold. First, it is for security reasons as people download and execute those files on their harddrive so the last thing we want is someone uploading a virus or some such malicious thing. Second, the server that LifeWiki is run on simply doesn't like automatic uploads of files in strange file formats.


If you have just created a pattern page or have found a pattern page that does not contain downloadable pattern files, send an e-mail to '''[mailto:support@conwaylife.com support@conwaylife.com]''' that contains a link to the pattern page in LifeWiki and some way to load the pattern (e.g. attach to the e-mail the pattern in RLE format, or save the pattern in the online database at [http://www.conwaylife.com/ ConwayLife.com] and include its saved name in the e-mail). You will receive a response when the pattern files have been uploaded.
If you have just created a pattern page or have found a pattern page that does not contain downloadable pattern files, send an e-mail to '''[mailto:support@conwaylife.com support@conwaylife.com]''' that contains a link to the pattern page in LifeWiki and some way to load the pattern (e.g. attach to the e-mail the pattern in RLE format, or save the pattern in the online database at [http://www.conwaylife.com/ ConwayLife.com] and include its saved name in the e-mail).


Note that some patterns will not have all file types uploaded. For example, [[catacryst]] does not have a downloadable plaintext file, as it would be extremely large (and would likely lock up any program trying to read the file).
Note that some patterns will not have all file types uploaded. For example, [[catacryst]] does not have a downloadable plaintext file, as it would be extremely large (and would likely lock up any program trying to read the file). Similarly, [[caterpillar]] does not contain any pattern files at all for that same reason (see the ''nofile'' parameter mentioned above).


===Java link===
===Java link===
The ''Manipulate via Java'' link that appears on the right sidebar for most patterns is controlled by whether or not a file in RLE format has been uploaded by the site administrator. To make that link functional, read the instructions in the [[#Pattern files|pattern files]] section above.
The ''Manipulate via Java'' link that appears on the right sidebar for most patterns is controlled by whether or not a file in RLE format has been uploaded by the site administrator. To make that link functional, read the instructions in the [[#Pattern files|pattern files]] section above.
{{ContributeNavbox}}

Revision as of 20:03, 15 June 2009

"LW:PATTERNS" and "LW:PP" redirect here.

Pattern pages are pages within LifeWiki that describe specific patterns of interest in Conway's Game of Life and related cellular automata.

Pattern templates

A pattern template should be included at the top of every single page describing a specific pattern. The available pattern templates are listed below. When none of the templates match the type of pattern that the page is about, the general pattern template should be used.

In addition to any of the template-specific parameters listed on those template pages (such as s for speed in Template:Spaceship), all pattern templates have access to the following parameters. If the value of a particular parameter is unknown to you or if you are not completely sure what a particular parameter does, it is best to omit it completely. To learn how to use these templates and parameters, it is likely best to view the source code of an existing pattern page by clicking on the "Edit" button at the top of it.

Parameter Description Example
name (required) The name of the pattern being described. name=17c/45 reaction
pname (required) The name of the pattern being described, but converted to lowercase and with all non-alphanumeric characters and spaces removed. pname=17c45reaction
discoverer (optional) The name of the person who first discovered the pattern. Only list one name even if the pattern was found by multiple people. discoverer=David Bell
discoveryear (optional) The year in which the pattern was first discovered. discoveryear=1970
bx (optional) The width (x-dimension) of the pattern's bounding box. bx=8
by (optional) The height (y-dimension) of the pattern's bounding box. by=12
c (optional) The number of live cells in the pattern. c=45
animated (optional) Whether or not there is an animated image available for the pattern. Not available for the Stilllife template. Omit this parameter if there is no such image. animated=true
life105 (optional) Whether or not there is a Life 1.05 pattern file available for download for this pattern. See Pattern files. Omit this parameter if the file has not been uploaded. life105=true
life106 (optional) Whether or not there is a Life 1.06 pattern file available for download for this pattern. See Pattern files. Omit this parameter if the file has not been uploaded. life106=true
plaintext (optional) Whether or not there is a plaintext pattern file available for download for this pattern. See Pattern files. Omit this parameter if the file has not been uploaded. life106=true
rle (optional) Whether or not there is a Run Length Encoded pattern file available for download for this pattern. See Pattern files. Omit this parameter if the file has not been uploaded. Also controls whether or not the Manipulate via Java link appears in the sidebar for the pattern. rle=true
nofile (optional) Whether or not pattern files have been purposely omitted and do not need to be added to the page (e.g., if the pattern file would be exceedingly large) nofile=true
synthesis (optional) The minimum known number of gliders with which the pattern can be constructed via glider synthesis. Enter synthesis=0 if it is known that the pattern can not be constructed in this way. Omit this parameter if it is unknown whether or not the pattern can be constructed via glider synthesis. synthesis=2
synthesisRLE (optional) Whether or not there is a Run Length Encoded pattern file available for the glider synthesis of the pattern. See Pattern files. Omit this parameter if the file has not been uploaded. Enter synthesisRLE=true if that pattern has been uploaded. synthesisRLE=true

Pattern files

Users of the LifeWiki are able to create and edit articles and upload and edit images on the LifeWiki as they see fit, but the one action that can only be performed by the site administrator, Nathaniel Johnston, is uploading pattern files (the files in Life 1.05, Life 1.06, plaintext and RLE format that are downloadable from most pattern pages) for download from the LifeWiki. The reason for this restriction is twofold. First, it is for security reasons as people download and execute those files on their harddrive so the last thing we want is someone uploading a virus or some such malicious thing. Second, the server that LifeWiki is run on simply doesn't like automatic uploads of files in strange file formats.

If you have just created a pattern page or have found a pattern page that does not contain downloadable pattern files, send an e-mail to support@conwaylife.com that contains a link to the pattern page in LifeWiki and some way to load the pattern (e.g. attach to the e-mail the pattern in RLE format, or save the pattern in the online database at ConwayLife.com and include its saved name in the e-mail).

Note that some patterns will not have all file types uploaded. For example, catacryst does not have a downloadable plaintext file, as it would be extremely large (and would likely lock up any program trying to read the file). Similarly, caterpillar does not contain any pattern files at all for that same reason (see the nofile parameter mentioned above).

Java link

The Manipulate via Java link that appears on the right sidebar for most patterns is controlled by whether or not a file in RLE format has been uploaded by the site administrator. To make that link functional, read the instructions in the pattern files section above.


Editor pages
Help pages
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Useful pages
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