Approximating Classical Computing Devices with the Multi-agent Model

Abstract

In the previous chapter we examined how the network formation and adaptation of the model slime mould could be used to approximate computations. Although slime mould computes by means of its spatial propagation and shape adaptation, this is not the way the current dominant form of computation – classical computation – operates. In modern computer systems problems are abstracted into a symbolic representation and implemented by programs which are ultimately executed by microscopic operations involving transformation of input signals by logic gates.