https://github.com/fyr1981/cellular-simulator
A high-performance artificial life simulation in C++17 using multithreading and data-oriented design.
https://github.com/fyr1981/cellular-simulator
artifical-life cmake cpp cpp17 data-oriented-design game-development multithreading performance portfolio-project raylib simulation
Last synced: 5 months ago
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A high-performance artificial life simulation in C++17 using multithreading and data-oriented design.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/fyr1981/cellular-simulator
- Owner: Fyr1981
- License: mit
- Created: 2025-08-19T00:53:35.000Z (6 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-08-26T13:34:39.000Z (6 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-08-26T15:35:38.619Z (6 months ago)
- Topics: artifical-life, cmake, cpp, cpp17, data-oriented-design, game-development, multithreading, performance, portfolio-project, raylib, simulation
- Language: C++
- Homepage:
- Size: 14.6 MB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# Cellular Simulator
[](https://isocpp.org/)
[](LICENSE)
[]()
[](https://fyr1981.github.io/Cellular-Simulator/)
A high-performance, multithreaded artificial life simulation built from scratch in modern C++. Watch simple rules give rise to complex, evolving ecosystems.
## Key Features
- **Massively Parallel Engine:** The core simulation loop is heavily parallelized using C++17 Parallel STL, capable of handling millions of agents at hundreds of updates per second.
- **Genetic Evolution:** Agents (cells) are driven by a genome that defines their behavior. The `Divide` command includes a mutation chance, allowing for emergent strategies and evolution.
- **Complex Agent Behavior:** Cells can perform actions like Photosynthesis, Movement (turning, moving forward), Eating other cells, and Division.
- **Data-Oriented High-Performance Design:** Utilizes advanced patterns like Object Pooling, String Interning, and lock-free parallel algorithms to maximize performance.
- **Interactive Experience:**
- Fully interactive 2D camera with smooth panning and zooming.
- Simulation controls (pause/resume, speed adjustment).
- Cell Inspector UI to view the genome and state of any cell in real-time.
- **Configurable:** All simulation parameters can be tweaked in an external `config.json` file.
## Tech Stack
- **Language:** C++17
- **Build System:** CMake
- **Graphics & Input:** RayLib
- **Configuration:** nlohmann/json
- **Concurrency:** C++17 Parallel STL, `std::thread`, `std::mutex`, `std::atomic`
## Building and Running
### Prerequisites
- A C++17 compliant compiler (e.g., MSVC, GCC, Clang)
- CMake (version 3.16 or higher)
- Git
### Build Steps
```bash
# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/your-username/CellularSimulator.git
cd CellularSimulator
# 2. Configure the project using CMake (dependencies will be fetched automatically)
cmake -S . -B build
# 3. Build the project
# For multi-config generators (like Visual Studio), specify the config
cmake --build build --config Release
# 4. Run the application
# The executable will be in the build/Release directory
./build/Release/CellularSimulator.exe
```
### Configuration
The simulation can be customized by editing the config.json file located in the root directory. This file is automatically copied to the build output directory.
Example config.json:
```json
{
"window": {
"width": 1920,
"height": 1080,
"fullscreen": true,
"fps": 60
},
"simulation": {
"width": 300,
"height": 300,
"density": 0.5,
"ups": 10,
"seed": 0,
"max_update_time": 0.1
},
"cell": {
"genome_length": 16,
"initial_energy": 100.0
}
}
```
### Controls
- LMB + Drag: Pan Camera
- Mouse Wheel: Zoom Camera
- RMB Click: Select a cell to inspect
- Spacebar: Pause / Resume simulation
- Left/Right Arrow: Decrease / Increase simulation speed (UPS)
- F11: Toggle Fullscreen