Simulating complex systems by cellular automata
By: Alfons G. Hoekstra, Jiří Kroc, Peter M.A. Sloot, editors
Series: Springer complexity; Understanding complex systems; Springer complexity; Understanding complex systems
Publisher: Springer
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Heidelberg; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 384
ISBN-13: 9783642122026; 9783642122033
Subjects: Cellular automata; Komplexes System; Zellularer Automat
Description: Deeply rooted in fundamental research in Mathematics and Computer Science, Cellular Automata (CA) are recognized as an intuitive modeling paradigm for Complex Systems. Already very basic CA, with extremely simple micro dynamics such as the Game of Life, show an almost endless display of complex emergent behavior. Conversely, CA can also be designed to produce a desired emergent behavior, using either theoretical methodologies or evolutionary techniques. Meanwhile, beyond the original realm of applications - Physics, Computer Science, and Mathematics – CA have also become work horses in very different disciplines such as epidemiology, immunology, sociology, and finance. In this context of fast and impressive progress, spurred further by the enormous attraction these topics have on students, this book emerges as a welcome overview of the field for its practitioners, as well as a good starting point for detailed study on the graduate and post-graduate level. The book contains three parts, two major parts on theory and applications, and a smaller part on software. The theory part contains fundamental chapters on how to design and/or apply CA for many different areas. In the applications part a number of representative examples of really using CA in a broad range of disciplines is provided - this part will give the reader a good idea of the real strength of this kind of modeling as well as the incentive to apply CA in their own field of study.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.