CSC107 - Lab 3

Assigned Jan 16th
Due Jan 16th

In this lab, we will learn the basics of Starlogo TNG, using agents to paint the world, and learn about the Starlogo TNG Documentation.

Question 1

You are an artist interested in creating collaborative abstract art. You have hired the turtles to paint their world and make paintings for you.

Open an empty model in StarLogo TNG.
Set up the world so that there are 30 each of two colors of turtles, red and white.
Scatter the turtles randomly in the world.

Question 2

You must next add code to have the turtles paint the world. The turtles follow a simple rule: if they see an empty (green) patch, paint it with their own color, then wiggle. You need to

Draw a state transition diagram to describe this behavior.
Create a Wiggle procedure
Create a Paint procedure (use an if statement)
Add a forever block that includes these two procedures

Run this model and report on the resulting painting in the world.

Question 3

You hire another set of turtles, but they are not entirely reliable. As before, if they see a green patch, they color it with their color, but if they see a patch that is already colored but is not their own color, they change into that color and start painting with this new color. For example, a red turtle encounters a white patch, causing it to become a white turtle. This turtle is now painting green patches white.

Draw a state transition diagram to describe this behavior.
Create a Paint2 procedure (use if statements)
Replace Paint with Paint2 in your forever block

Run this model. Discuss any differences between the paintings from the turtles in Question 2 and Question 3.

Question 4

You hire a third set of turtles, which follow a slightly different set of rules. If they encounter a green patch, they paint it their color, but if they encounter a colored patch that is not their own, they first change into that color then color this patch green. For example, a red turtle encounters a white patch, causing it to become a white turtle and paint the white patch green, and this turtle is now painting green patches white.

Draw a state transition diagram to describe this behavior.
Create a Paint3 procedure (use if statements)
Replace Paint2 with Paint3 in your forever block

Run this model. Discuss any differences between this model and the models in Questions 2 and Questions 3. Why do you think this model behaves the way it does? Which pictures do you prefer and why?

You Must Turn In

Procedures and state diagram from Q2
Procedures and state diagram from Q3
Procedures and state diagram from Q4
Qualitative discussion of differences between Q2 and Q3
Qualitative discussion of differences between Q2, Q3 and Q4