Exploring Discrete Dynamics with DDLab

from Cellular Automata to Random Networks

Workshop/tutorial at ECAL 2011
Cite Internationale Universitaire de Paris,
Sats, Salle Satsuma, Maison Internationale, level 3 west
August 12, 13:30 to 17:00

Discrete dynamical networks, which include cellular automata and random Boolean networks, are at the very core of complexity and emergent self-organisation, and provided the inspiration for the founding ideas of Artificial Life, notably by Chris Langton. Discrete Dynamics Lab (DDLab) is open source interactive graphics software able to explore a huge diversity of behaviour, space-time patterns, and basins of attraction representing the convergent flow in state-space. The latest version of DDLab is documented in the book "Exploring Discrete Dynamics" which is just been published. Both book and software are available below, and at www.ddlab.org where more info may be found. The workshop will include a tutorial to demonstrate DDLab, a chance to try out your own experiments -- bring your laptop with DDLab installed, and an opportunity for a 10 minute presentation of your work involving DDLab -- submit an abstract ASAP but not later than July 27. Subsequently, selected papers will be published in a special issue of the JCA (Journal of Cellular Automata).

Andrew Wuensche (contact: andy AT ddlab DOT org) - www.ddlab.org
Andy Adamatzky
Genaro Juarez Martinez

Workshop Program

13.30 -- 14.30
tutorial/demo showing how to use DDLab and its range of functions, referring to "Exploring Discrete Dynamics" -- the DDlab manual, and including the following topics:

-- starting DDLab -- CA, RBN, DDN and hybrid networks -- value range -- network size -- neighborhood -- network geometry -- wiring -- rules and rulemix -- network architecture -- network graph -- initial state -- space-time patterns, 1d/2d/3d -- basins of attraction and subtrees (running backward) -- learning -- presentation options -- measures, parameters and data -- filing -- attractor jump graph -- chain rules and encryption -- classifying CA rule space -- vector PostScript graphics -- source code and algorithms --

14.30 -- 15.00
questions, discussions, wish-lists.

15.00 -- 15.30
coffee break.

15.30 -- 17.00
short presentations, discussions, and hands on experiments with
personal laptops or with the overhead projector laptop.


front cover


scrolling tube -- 1d CA

"Exploring Discrete Dynamics" is published by Luniver Press (538 pages, 8×10in paperback) -- listed on most book sites: e.g. Amazon, Book Depository etc., and also fully accessible on Google Books. Exploring Discrete Dynamics supersedes previous versions of the DDLab manual.
DDLab is free (open source) software under the GNU General Public License. The latest code, compiled versions, and Exploring Discrete Dynamics -- (hyperref-pdf with color figures), can be downloaded below. from the back cover
EXPLORING DISCRETE DYNAMICS is a comprehensive guide to studying cellular automata and discrete dynamical networks with the classic software Discrete Dynamics Laboratory (DDLab), widely used in research and education. These collective networks are at the core of complexity and emergent self-organisation. With interactive graphics, DDLab is able to explore a huge diversity of behaviour, mostly terra incognita -- space-time patterns, and basins of attraction -- mathematical objects representing the convergent flow in state-space. Applications range within physics, mathematics, biology, cognition, society, economics and computation, and more specifically in neural and genetic networks, artificial life, and theories of memory.


Advance Praise for EXPORING DISCRETE DYNAMICS
"Andrew Wuensche has, in an important sense, done more than anyone to enable the study of discrete dynamical systems such as cellular automata and random Boolean nets. Wuensche derived the mathematical means to compute the "predecessor" states that flow to a successor state. Thereby he opened the door to study the entire state space flow of discrete dynamical systems. DDLab is a marvellous and useful tool for all of us fascinated by discrete dynamical systems and what they may tell us of mathematics and the world."
STUART KAUFFMAN, author of "The Origins of Order", MacArthur Fellow, FRSC, University of Vermont, USA. Tampere University of Technology, Finland.

"There is a whole universe of complexity that is captured by discrete dynamical systems, which have been widely used as a powerful framework to understand reality from different perspectives. Exploring Discrete Dynamics is a great example of how to dive in this neverending universe. A careful, compelling and detailed presentation of examples and methods will help both beginners and scholars to get into this fascinating field."
RICARD SOLE, Author of "Signs of Life", Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona.

Related Publications books and papers can be found at www.ddlab.org -- most are available in pdf.