← Projects
Turmite Sim
Two-dimensional Turing machines that leave surprisingly intricate trails on a grid.
About
After learning about models of computation, Turing machines included, in EECS 2001 at York University, I wanted to build something visually interesting that shows some of the course's ideas at work.
Try the presets, or write your own rules. More on turmites at Wikipedia and in Vincent Verheyen's notes.
Guide
Each step, the turmite paints the square it stands on, turns, and moves forward one square. What it does depends on its current state and the colour beneath it.
Every state has a rule for a white square and one for a black square: the colour to paint (B or W), the turn (L left, R right, N none, U about-face) and the state to switch to next.