/*
 * LifeCell.java - Java class for an individual cell in the jlife simulation.
 *
 * Author : Jeff Mercer
 * Written: 7/23/99
 * Updated: 7/31/99
 * JDK Ver: 1.1.8
 *
 * Purpose: A simple class for an individual cell in the Life simulation.
 *          An array of these objects will make up the playing grid.
 */

public class LifeCell
{

/*********************************
 * Data members of LifeCell class
 *********************************/

  final int DEAD=0;		// Constant for dead state value.
  final int ALIVE=1;	// Constant for living state value.

  private int nowState;	// Cell's current state.
  private int futureState;	// Cell's future state (aka fate).
  private double age;	// Cell's age in generations.

/**********************************
 * Constructors for LifeCell class
 **********************************/

  public LifeCell()		// Default constructor, no parameters.
  {
    nowState=DEAD;
    futureState=DEAD;
    age=0;
  }

/*****************************
 * Methods for LifeCell class
 *****************************************************************************/

  // Return the cell's current state as an integer.
  public int giveState()
  {
    return nowState;
  }

/*****************************************************************************/

  // Accept a new future state (aka fate) for the cell. Must be an integer.
  public void acceptFate(int st)
  {
    // Only accept valid state values!
    if (st==ALIVE || st==DEAD)
      futureState=st;
  }

/*****************************************************************************/

  // Return the cell's current age as a double.
  public double giveAge()
  {
    return age;
  }

/*****************************************************************************/

  // Update the cell by having it accept it's fate, increment age if necessary
  // and return the new state as an integer.
  public int updateCell()
  {
    // If cell is surviving, increment it's age...
    if (nowState==ALIVE && futureState==ALIVE)
      age++;
    // ...otherwise, reset the age.
    else
      age=0;

    // Switch cell to it's new state.
    nowState=futureState;

    // Return the cell's new state.
    return nowState;
  }

// End of line.
}