Logging is an option for those users who need to know more about a simulation than what is shown in the simulation window and the population graph. It also provides a sometimes-surprising glimpse into the dynamics of the evolution of one or more species.
When logging is enabled the user is prompted for a new filename (an extension of .LOG is assumed). After correctly entering and confirming a filename the file is created and logging begins if file did not previously exist, otherwise logging information is appended to the existing file. In either case simulation statistics are logged to the tab delimited file until is exceeds the maximum size specified by “M File Size” (above). If a simulation file and logging file are specified from the command line but logging is disabled in the *.SIM file the fact that logging was specified in the command line will override the simulation file and logging will be enabled to the specified log file.
The log data is stored in a standard CSV format that can be easily imported into your favorite spreadsheet or database program. To do so for MS-Excel for example, first import the *.LOG file as a space delimited file. Once in a standard spreadsheet format you would arrange all columns desired to be graphed so they were adjacent. Then select the appropriate column headers and all the fields in the columns you wish to graph. Then click on graph button, draw a rectangle with the crosshairs that the mouse cursor becomes and answer all questions appropriately. For more detailed instructions consult the user manual for your spreadsheet or database software.
You will probably want to make separate graphs for the species population and the species Standard Deviation. These two usually give an interesting perspective of the simulation
If file previously existed then a header is first appended showing when logging started. Then the column header is added as shown in the example below. The file is then updated with all applicable fields at the rate determined by the “Log Period” until logging is stopped, the program is halted, or the size of the log file reaches the maximum file size as specified by “M File Size”.
All fields are delimited by one or more spaces and are defined as follows:
|
Column |
Description |
|
D |
# of days simulation has run |
|
Time |
Hours:Minutes:Seconds simulation has run |
|
C |
# of cycles elapsed |
|
Pop |
# of bugs currently on screen |
|
BactS |
# of bacteria on Screen (not including garden) |
|
BacG |
# of bacteria in Garden |
|
P0..5 |
Population of each of the 5 possible species |
|
SD0..5 |
Average Standard Deviation for each of the 5 possible species |
|
MStr |
Average Maximum Strength of all bugs |
|
Mage |
Average Maximum Age of all bugs |
|
Repr |
Average Reproduction Strength of all bugs |
|
MRSt |
Average Age of Maturity of all bugs |
|
MS |
Mutation Severity (G) – as defined in the menu |
|
MB |
Mutation Severity (B) – as defined in the menu |
|
GH |
Garden Height |
|
GW |
Garden Width |
|
SL |
# of bacteria placed on screen per turn |
|
GL |
# of bacteria placed in garden per turn |
|
P |
Whether garden protection is enabled (0 or 1) |
The second graph (below) shows the relative population of the Bacteria vs. the Bugs starting at the point where a population of forward moving bugs first evolves (cycle 90) and is detectable via the standard deviation threshold of the program. As in the first graph, the population values of the bugs and the bacteria are shown relative to the maximum population of each.
