Catalyst (search program)

Catalyst is a search program by Gabriel Nivasch. It is similar to ptbsearch, but without the ability to search for transparent catalysts. It was written in C++, and is good for finding new Herschel conduits.

Details

Catalyst uses a depth-first search algorithm, allowing it to exhaustively search the space of all possible catalyses. It can search with a variety of different catalysts, namely the block, eater, eater2, snake, tub, tub-with-tail and boat. It doesn't allow custom catalysts, unlike ptbsearch, so is less flexible. It is also slower than ptbsearch, due to the lack of machine-level optimisation.

Interfacing

Catalyst can either be run from a command-line interface or a batch file. The former is quicker, but the latter is good for performing lots of successive searches. The input allows the user to specify which catalysts are to be used, the desired initial and final states, how many catalysts to use, and when to place catalysts. The output is in a pictorial format, so that it can be pasted into most Life programs.