Question

The simplest action a creature can perform is "grow" , used by plants. When an action object like {type: "grow"} is returned, the following handler method will be called:

actionTypes.grow = function(critter) {
  critter.energy += 0.5;
  return true;
};

Growing always succeeds and adds half a point to the plant’s energy level.

Moving is more involved.

actionTypes.move = function(critter, vector, action) {
  var dest = this.checkDestination(action, vector);
  if (dest == null ||
      critter.energy <= 1 ||
      this.grid.get(dest) != null)
    return false;
  critter.energy -= 1;
  this.grid.set(vector, null);
  this.grid.set(dest, critter);
  return true;
};

This action first checks, using the checkDestination method defined earlier , whether the action provides a valid destination. If not, or if the destination isn’t empty, or if the critter lacks the required energy, move returns false to indicate no action was taken. Otherwise, it moves the critter and subtracts the energy cost.

In addition to moving, critters can eat.

actionTypes.eat = function(critter, vector, action) {
  var dest = this.checkDestination(action, vector);
  var atDest = dest != null && this.grid.get(dest);
  if (!atDest || atDest.energy == null)
    return false;
  critter.energy += atDest.energy;
  this.grid.set(dest, null);
  return true;
};

Eating another critter also involves providing a valid destination square. This time, the destination must not be empty and must contain something with energy, like a critter (but not a wall—walls are not edible). If so, the energy from the eaten is transferred to the eater, and the victim is removed from the grid.

And finally, we allow our critters to reproduce.

actionTypes.reproduce = function(critter, vector, action) {
  var baby = elementFromChar(this.legend,
                             critter.originChar);
  var dest = this.checkDestination(action, vector);
  if (dest == null ||
      critter.energy <= 2 * baby.energy ||
      this.grid.get(dest) != null)
    return false;
  critter.energy -= 2 * baby.energy;
  this.grid.set(dest, baby);
  return true;
};

Reproducing costs twice the energy level of the newborn critter. So we first create a (hypothetical) baby using elementFromChar on the critter’s own origin character. Once we have a baby, we can find its energy level and test whether the parent has enough energy to successfully bring it into the world. We also require a valid (and empty) destination.

If everything is okay, the baby is put onto the grid (it is now no longer hypothetical), and the energy is spent.

This is a book about getting computers to do what you want them to do. Computers are about as common as screwdrivers today, but they contain a lot more hidden complexity and thus are harder to operate and understand. To many, they remain alien, slightly threatening things.