Cellular automata machines : a new environment for modeling /

Among the technological advances in parallel computation that are driving an expansion of knowledge in new areas of mathematics is the study of processes that take place in cellular spaces. Bringing together elements from discrete geometry, mathematical games like Conway's game of ``Life,'' cellular automata theory, probability and statistics, and scientific computation, this book illustrates the kinds of computations that can be performed on spatially distributed parallel computing systems called ``cellular automata machines.'' Although the approach is informal, readers need an undergraduate minor background in mathematics to understand it-most appropriate for juniors, seniors, and graduate students in math, physics, chemistry, engineering, or computer science. The writing style is clear and vivid. Physically, the book is well produced (computer-typeset with the LaTeX system) and it contains high-quality diagrams. A novel feature is that the book is coordinated with a hardware/software system consisting of a commercially available plug-in cellular-logic accelerator for the IBM PC family of computers, together with Forth-based software that is in the public domain.-S.L. Tanimoto, University of Washington