Cellular Automata Cellular Automata Basics Cellular automata are self-generating computer graphics movies. Capow 98 simulates one and two-dimensional cellular automata. The net effect of the individual updates is that you see an ever-evolving sequence of screens. That is, we think of all of the updates being done at once.
Homogeneity means that each cell is updated according to the same rules.
Typically the color values of the cell and of its nearest eight neighbors are combined according to some logico-algebraic formula, or are used to locate an entry in a preset lookup table. Cellular automata can act as good models for physical, biological and sociological phenomena. As a simple example of a physical CA, imagine sitting at the edge of a swimming pool, stirring the water with your feet.