Thread: Lagnton Ant

Hi I am a begginner in java and have an assignment to simulate a Langton Ant. Would like some help where to start.

package simulation;
 
/**
 * 
 * Simulation class
 * 
 *
 */
public class Simulation {
 
	public int height ;
	public int width;
	public int antStartI;
	public int antStartJ;
	public String originalDirection;
 
	 /* @param height - the height of the grid
	 * @param width - the width of the grid
	 * @param antStartI - the original I coordinate of the ant
	 * @param antStartJ - the original J coordinate of the ant
	 * @param originalDirection - the original direction the ant is facing
	 */
	public Simulation(int height, int width, int antStartI, int antStartJ,
			Direction originalDirection, int maxTimeSteps) {
 
		height = height;
		width = width;
		antStartI = antStartI;
		antStartJ = antStartJ;
		originalDirection = originalDirection;
 
	}
 
	/**
	 * Execute a time step for the simulation.
	 * 
	 * The ant must:
	 * 		* move forward 1 space
	 * 			- if this movement would cause it to move off the grid, 
	 * 				the simulation is completed.
	 * 		* rotate depending on the state of the cell the ant is occupying
	 * 			- if the cell is white, rotate left
	 * 			- otherwise, rotate right
	 * 		* change the state of the cell the ant is currently occupying
	 * 			- if the cell is white, it becomes black
	 * 			- otherwise, it becomes white
	 * 
	 * NOTE: this method should do nothing if the simulation is completed.
	 */
	public void executeStep() {
		switch (direction) {
		case NORTH:
			;
			break;
		case SOUTH:
			;
			break;
		case EAST:
			;
			break;
		case WEST:
			;
			break;
		}
	}
 
	/**
	 * Method to check if the simulation is completed.
	 * 
	 * The simulation is completed if and only if:
	 * 		* it has reached the maximum time steps allowed
	 * 		* the ant has moved off the grid
	 * 
	 * @return true - the simulation is completed
	 * @return false - the simulation is not completed
	 */
	public boolean isCompleted() {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
 
	/**
	 * Method to return a copy of the current grid.
	 * 
	 * You should always return a copy of an object if you do not
	 * want your base object to be changed by any code calling this method.
	 * 
	 * @return a clone of the grid.
	 */
	public Grid cloneCurrentGrid() {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
 
	/**
	 * Method to return a copy of the current ant.
	 * 
	 * You should always return a copy of an object if you do not
	 * want your base object to be changed by any code calling this method.
	 * 
	 * NOTE: Do not canche this value, return a new object for every call.
	 * 
	 * @return a clone of the ant.
	 */
	public Ant cloneCurrentAnt() {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
}

I tried to write execute step but have know idea of hw to set the ant's next position regarding its direction. Any ideas?

Sorry for the lack of information
The original position is 5,5
Direction is

 
package core;
 
public enum Direction {
	NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST;
}

The rules are:
1 - At each cell, swap the colour from black to white or white to black
2 - If the new colour is white then turn left; else turn right
3 - Move forward one space
4 - If you reach a boundary, exit the grid and stop.

This is the program

package langton;
 
import simulation.Ant;
import simulation.Grid;
import simulation.Simulation;
import core.Direction;
 
public class LangtonAnt {
	/**
	 * Main method.
	 * 
	 * You do not need to modify this method. It will not be part of the
	 * automated or hand marking
	 * 
	 */
	public static void main(String[] args) {
		// create a simulation with given parameters
		Simulation sim = new Simulation(10, 10, 5, 5, Direction.NORTH, 10);
		// while the simulation is not finished
		while (!sim.isCompleted()) {
			// get current board
			Grid board = sim.cloneCurrentGrid();
			// get current ant
			Ant ant = sim.cloneCurrentAnt();
 
			// print out the ant and board
			System.out.print("+");
			for (int j = 0; j < board.getWidth(); ++j) {
				System.out.print("-");
			}
			System.out.println("+");
 
			for (int i = 0; i < board.getHeight(); ++i) {
				System.out.print("|");
				for (int j = 0; j < board.getWidth(); ++j) {
					if (i == ant.getIPos() && j == ant.getJPos()) {
						switch (ant.getDirection()) {
						case NORTH:
							System.out.print("^");
							break;
						case SOUTH:
							System.out.print("V");
							break;
						case EAST:
							System.out.print(">");
							break;
						case WEST:
							System.out.print("<");
							break;
						}
					} else {
						if (board.isWhite(i, j)) {
							System.out.print(" ");
						} else {
							System.out.print("*");
						}
					}
				}
				System.out.println("|");
			}
 
			System.out.print("+");
			for (int j = 0; j < board.getWidth(); ++j) {
				System.out.print("-");
			}
			System.out.println("+");
 
			/*
			 * make the computer wait 150 ms to make it easier to view the ant's
			 * progression
			 */
			try {
				Thread.sleep(150);
			} catch (InterruptedException e) {
				// do nothing
			}
 
			// execute a step
			sim.executeStep();
			// buffer to make it easier to read
			System.out.println();
		}
	}
}

and I have to fullfill the simulation and grid regarding the rules on post 3

I am starting with simulation on post 1, trying to do it by parts because I am really confused. I tried to write execute step, but I can't figure out how to make the ant move one step. I put switch inside it, but I don't know if it is the best approach and still I have no idea of how to program the ant to move one step regarding its direction.

The idea is that the ant is in a 2 dim array, but no array is declared

I don't understand this question:

Would a move be to an adjacent square?
Would there be 4 possible squares to move to (barring a current location at an edge which would reduce the possible next squares)?

The rule that determine which cell the ant will go to is the direction. There are other rules like changing the color of the cell the ant is in and when it arrives next cell, if this cell is white it should turn left, else turn right. But I am trying first to write execute step on post 1. I just don't know how to refer to the ant next position since there are only the variables antstarti and antstarj. I don't understand which variables determine the next position of the ant..

I have to fullfill with code a package called simulation with 3 classes. The first is in post 1

Tha seconde is

 
package simulation;
 
/**
 * 
 * Ant class
 * 
 *
 */
public class Ant {
 
	 int iPos;
     int jPos;
     String direction;
 
 
	public Ant(int iPos, int jPos, Direction direction){
 
		iPos=iPos;
		jPos=jPos;
	    direction = direction;
 
	}
 
	public int getIPos() {
		iPos = 
		return iPos;
	}
	protected void setIPos(int iPos) {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
	public int getJPos() {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
	protected void setJPos(int jPos) {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
	public Direction getDirection() {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
	protected void setDirection(Direction direction) {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
 
}

And the last one:

package simulation;
 
/**
 * 
 * Grid class
 * 
 * 
 *
 */
public class Grid {
 
	boolean[][] grid;
 
	/**
	 * Constructor for the grid.
	 * 
	 * Initial state is that the every cell in the grid is white
	 * 
	 * @param height - height of the grid
	 * @param width - width of the grid
	 */
 
	int height;
	int width;
 
	public Grid(int height, int width) {
 
	}
 
	public int getHeight() {
		height = height;
	return height;	
	}
 
	public int getWidth() {
		width=width;
		return width;
 
	}
 
	public boolean isWhite(int i, int j) {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
 
	protected void setWhite(int i, int j) {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
 
	protected void setBlack(int i, int j) {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
}

Any advice where to start?

It could go Right, Left, Below and Up.

I know how to change rows and columns values, I just don't understan which variables refer to column and row in this code since I am supposed to follow what is already written. I just see variables to the ants original position. AntStartI is the row and AntStartJ is the column the ant is.

Now I defined it at the class level:

	public void executeStep() {
		switch (originalDirection) {
		case NORTH:
			antrow=antcurrentI+1;
			break;
		case SOUTH:
			antrow = antcurrentI-1;
			break;
		case EAST:
			antcolumn = antcurrentJ+1;
			break;
		case WEST:
			antcolumn = antcurrentJ-1;
			break;
		}
	}

But how do I initialise antcurrentI and antcurrentJ? I mean, how do I define what they are?

public void executeStep() {
		switch (originalDirection) {
		case NORTH:
			antcurrentI++;
			break;
		case SOUTH:
			antcurrentJ++;
			break;
		case EAST:
			antcurrentJ++;
			break;
		case WEST:
			antcurrentJ++;
			break;
		}
	}

Where is the correct place to initialise and declare:

antcurrentI=antStartI;
antcurrentJ=antStartJ;

?

In:

public void executeStep() {
		switch (originalDirection) {
		case NORTH:
			antcurrentI++;
			break;
		case SOUTH:
			antcurrentJ++;
			break;
		case EAST:
			antcurrentJ++;
			break;
		case WEST:
			antcurrentJ++;
			break;
		}
	}

eclipse keeps showing error: North, South, East an West cannot be resolved in variables.

North, South, East and West are in another package in a class called Direction. Does it mean i cannot use switch in this case?

Sorry, I did not understand this question:
Do you live south of the equator and orient your maps with the South pole at the top?

No need to answer my last question as I already imported Direction. I am trying to stub methods just to have the program running first. But I am having a problem.

package simulation;
 
import core.Direction;
 
 
/**
 * 
 * Ant class
 * 
 *
 */
public class Ant {
 
	public int iP;
     public int jP;
     public Direction d;
 
 
 
	public Ant(int iPos, int jPos, Direction direction){
 
		iP=iPos;
		jP=jPos;
	    d = direction;
 
	}
 
	public int getIPos() {
		return 0;
	}
	protected void setIPos(int iPos) {
 
	}
	public int getJPos() {
		return 10;
	}
	protected void setJPos(int jPos) {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
	public Direction getDirection() {
		return EAST;
	}
	protected void setDirection(Direction direction) {
 
	}
 
}

return EAST; keeps showing error even thought I have already imported Direction. It says:
The member enum EAST can only be defined inside a top-level class or interface
Syntax error, insert "EnumBody" to complete BlockStatements


How can I fix it?

--- Update ---

21 is in another class.

Here is the one the is not working:

package simulation;
 
import core.Direction;
 
 
/**
 * 
 * Ant class
 * 
 *
 */
public class Ant {
 
	public int iP;
     public int jP;
     public Direction d;
 
 
 
	public Ant(int iPos, int jPos, Direction direction){
 
		iP=iPos;
		jP=jPos;
	    d = direction;
 
	}
 
	public int getIPos() {
		return 0;
	}
	protected void setIPos(int iPos) {
 
	}
	public int getJPos() {
		return 10;
	}
	protected void setJPos(int jPos) {
		// TODO fill in this method
	}
	public Direction getDirection() {
		return EAST;
	}
	protected void setDirection(Direction direction) {
 
	}
 
}

I don't understand because I have imported Direction.

It is not always East. I just stud it, I am trying to run it before so I can write and then run again to see what the code is printing so it is easier to code what the assignment requires. So I am just returning the type required in each method.(returning anything)

The main method is constructed already (post#5)

You are right, I will correct it.