Looking for some tips on a Simulation Project!

Hi, I'm creating a MATLAB code for a Parasite & Food simulation which is similar to a random walk. In this Simulation; the Food agents remain stationary, scattered randomly around a domain, and the Parasites take steps around this domain. The parasite can move onto a food cell and 'eat the food' (food cell is changes to a parasite cell), or move to an empty cell. (two parasites can't occupy the same cell)

So this is my problem:

In previous random walk simulations I've used a logical array where 1 = a particle, and 0 = free space. In this case I now need three different objects: Free space, Parasites, and Food. So it seems a logical array would no longer work. The best current idea I have is to create an array and somehow set : 0 = free space, 1 = food and 2 = parasite, but I'm wondering if there is a better way of doing this?

any tips or pointers would be great, thanks!

Answer 1

[John D'Errico]

Is there a better way? Not really. In fact, your plan is actually a good one, and arguably the best approach. The true art will be in terms of how you implement it, how efficiently you write the code, not in terms of how you will store the data in this case.

Of course, there are probably always OTHER ways to solve any problem. But your task should be to find A way to solve it. If it works, then don't worry about finding the truly perfect, optimal solution. Don't waste programmer time in pre-optimizing code that is not a problem otherwise. As you grow in programming skill, your code will improve.

[Ben Shaw]

Thanks for the tips, I've started messing around with the idea and trying to get a working code now, so that's good to hear.

Answer 2

[Nicola Bombace]

Enumerations can be a good way to mark your states.

[Ben Shaw]

Thanks, I'll check it out!