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--- projects:archevo:model [2021/04/19 16:33] – created Owen Mellema
+++ projects:archevo:model [2021/04/19 16:38] (current) – [The ArchEvo Model] Add information about abstractions Owen Mellema
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== The ArchEvo Model ======
-**The ArchEvo Model** is a generalized description of how ArchEvo works.
+**The ArchEvo Model** is a generalized description of how ArchEvo works. It abstracts away information about the [[ projects:archevo:ISA ]], [[ projects:archevo:CombatHandler | how combat is handled ]], and [[ projects:archevo:ReproductionHandler | how reproduction is handled ]].
+===== Cells =====
+A cell is a virtual machine that exists in the Universe.
+==== Registers ====
+A cell has eight registers, each of which are eight bits wide. The first cell represent the amount of energy the cell has (( Since the registers are only 8 bits wide, that means that the maximum amount of energy a cell can have is limited to 256, as it cannot overflow )). When a new cell is created, all of the registers are set to 0, except for the energy register.
+Technically, the rest of the cells have no intrinsic meaning separate from the context in which they are run (including ISA, combat handler, reproduction handler, etc) , but generally the cells are given these names:
+  * 0: Energy
+  * 1: Logo
+  * 2: Guess
+  * 3: Register A
+  * 4: Register B
+  * 5: Register C
+  * 6: Register D
+  * 7: IPLOC
+The names of regs 1 and 2 come from the [[ projects:archevo:CaptureTheFlag ]] combat handler, and reg 7 is IPLOC in [[ projects:archevo:ASIA ]].
+=== Death ===
+When energy is 0 (it can't underflow), the cell is dead, and will be garbage collected in the next iteration.
+==== Program ====
+A cell has a set of instructions that is called a Program. Each individual instruction is simply a set of bits. The instructions may be of an arbitrary length depending on the ISA. [[ projects:archevo:ASIA ]]'s instructions are eleven bits long.
+When a new cell is introduced randomly into the Universe, all of the bits of the program will be randomized. However, when a cell is created as a child of another cell, the new cell inherits the parent's program, with some mutated bits.
+A cell also has an Instruction Pointer (IP) . This is a number that is between 0 and the length of the program. When a cell is created this is initialized to 0.
+==== Actions ====
+Each iteration, the instruction that is pointed at by the IP is translated into an action. The possible actions are:
+  * RegisterUpdate <register> <value>: Changes the value of a register.
+  * Attack <x_off> <y_off>: Attacks the cell at the given offset.
+  * DoNothing ((DoNothing has a counterpart ExternalDoNothing that exists for technical reasons))
+  * Move <x_off> <y_off>: Moves the cell to the offset.
+  * MoveInstructionPointer <new_instruction_pointer>: Moves the Instruction Pointer (Jumps) to a new location in the program
+  * Reproduce <x_off> <y_off>: Creates a new cell at the offset.
+This action is then executed.
+=== Reproduction ===
+{{ :projects:archevo:executereproduction.png?100|}}When the reproduce action is triggered, a new baby cell may be created. However, first the [[ projects:archevo:ReproductionHandler]] is. The ReproductionHandler decides three things:
+  * Can the parent reproduce?
+  * What energy cost will the parent need to pay to reproduce?
+  * What will the baby cell's initial energy be?
+If the parent cannot reproduce, no change will occur. If the parent can reproduce, then the energy cost is deducted from the parent, and a new cell is created with the proper amount of initial energy. (Click the flowchart on the right to enlarge it)
+=== Attacking ===
+{{:projects:archevo:combatflowchart.png?100 |}}Attacking other cells is the only way for a cell to gain more energy. The change in energy for both attacker and (if there is one ((Cells can also attack thin air, although this generally results in a penalty.))) defender are determined by the [[ projects:archevo:CombatHandler ]].
+===== Universe =====
+The Universe is a grid that contains Cells. Although it is a finite grid, the edges wrap around to the opposite side, meaning that Cells can travel in one direction infinitely.
+Each iteration, some new cells are spawned with randomized programs.