Block
| Block | |||||||
| View static image | |||||||
| Pattern type | Strict still life | ||||||
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| Number of cells | 4 | ||||||
| Bounding box | 2 × 2 | ||||||
| Discovered by | John Conway | ||||||
| Year of discovery | 1970 | ||||||
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Block is an extremely well-known and common still life that was found by John Conway in 1970. In terms of its 4 cells it is tied with tub as the smallest still life, and in terms of its 2×2 bounding box it is the outright the smallest.
Due to its small size, its ability to act as an eater, and its simple glider syntheses, it is extremely useful in the construction of large patterns. It can be used as an induction coil as in block and dock, block on table and griddle and block.
It is also the most common still life that occurs as a result of random starting patterns, occurring almost twice as often as beehive, the next most common still life.[1]
The block was one of the patterns described in the original 1970 article by Martin Gardner that introduced the Game of Life to the world.
See also
References
- ↑ Achim Flammenkamp (September 7, 2004). "Most seen natural occurring ash objects in Game of Life". Retrieved on January 15, 2009.
External links
- Block at the Life Lexicon
- Four-bit still lifes by Mark Niemiec
- The fantastic combinations of John Conway's new solitaire game "life" by Martin Gardner