Implementing Cellular Automata with MATLAB

This article provides a detailed walkthrough of implementing cellular automata in MATLAB. Cellular automata represent computational models based on simple rules that can simulate various complex systems. When designing cellular automata, several critical factors require consideration, including rule definition methodologies and state transition implementations. The implementation typically involves creating a grid structure using MATLAB matrices, where each cell's state evolves according to neighboring cell interactions through predefined rules. We will demonstrate key MATLAB functions like conv2 for neighborhood processing and mod for cyclical boundary conditions. The complete source code is provided to offer deeper insight into the programming process, featuring functions for initialization, rule application, and visualization using imagesc. This guide aims to help readers understand both the fundamental workings of cellular automata and practical MATLAB programming techniques for their implementation.