Formal Definition
An artificial chemistry is defined in general as a triple (S,R,A). In some cases it is sufficient to define it as a tuple (S,I).
- S is the set of possible molecules S={s1...,sn}, where n is the number of elements in the set, possibly infinite.
- R is a set of n-ary operations on the molecules in S, the reaction rules R={r1...,rn}. Each rule ri is written like a chemical reaction a+b+c->a*+b*+c*. Note here that ri are operators, as opposed to +.
- A is an algorithm describing how to apply the rules R to a subset PS.
- I are the interaction rules of the molecules in S.
Read more about this topic: Artificial Chemistry
Famous quotes containing the words formal and/or definition:
“It is in the nature of allegory, as opposed to symbolism, to beg the question of absolute reality. The allegorist avails himself of a formal correspondence between ideas and things, both of which he assumes as given; he need not inquire whether either sphere is real or whether, in the final analysis, reality consists in their interaction.”
—Charles, Jr. Feidelson, U.S. educator, critic. Symbolism and American Literature, ch. 1, University of Chicago Press (1953)
“It is very hard to give a just definition of love. The most we can say of it is this: that in the soul, it is a desire to rule; in the spirit, it is a sympathy; and in the body, it is but a hidden and subtle desire to possessafter many mysterieswhat one loves.”
—François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (16131680)