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Spartan universal computer-constructor
Posted: February 22nd, 2010, 10:27 pm
by ipatrol
A lot of links to this 404ed after talktalk bought out tiscali. I have a file with it, but I need some documentation in order to program it. Are you listening Calcyman?
Re: Spartan universal computer-constructor
Posted: February 23rd, 2010, 3:52 am
by calcyman
You have to realise that the UCC is a _prototype_, and thus isn't really designed to be programmed with custom procedures. In fact, it's probably easier for you to make your own computer than to program mine!
The UCC is also aperiodic, which means it doesn't run brilliantly in Hashlife. Patterns with internal regulators, such as my Phi calculator, outperform their non-regulated counterparts:
http://calcyman.awardspace.co.uk/life-massive/phi.mc
The Phi calculator uses many of the same principles as the UCC, but isn't Spartan (easily constructible by gliders). The 'program' is entirely encoded into the array of reflectors, instead of being read from a binary tape. This approach is recommended for small/medium-sized programs, as it offers much more freedom and versatility.
Re: Spartan universal computer-constructor
Posted: February 23rd, 2010, 4:28 pm
by ipatrol
So how do you program phi.mc then?