Date: Fri, 07 Apr 1995 14:52:24 EST
From: "Rob Slade, Social Convener to the Net" <roberts@mukluk.decus.ca>
Subject: "Windows Hothouse" by Clarkson

BKWNHTHS.RVW   950222
 
"Windows Hothouse", Mark Clarkson, 1994, 0-201-62669-1, U$34.95/C$44.95
%A   Mark Clarkson
%C   1 Jacob Way, Reading, MA   01867-9984
%D   1994
%G   0-201-62669-1
%I   Addison-Wesley
%O   U$34.95/C$44.95 800-822-6339 617-944-3700 Fax: (617) 944-7273
%P   288
%T   "Windows Hothouse"
 
I am not sure whether this is an introduction to Microsoft's Visual C++, an
introduction to C++ with artificial life examples and the Visual C++
environment, or an introduction to artificial life topics with examples limited
to Visual C++.  Whichever one it is, it's a lot of fun.
 
Clarkson makes no bones about the book's being primarily for fun, but the
material is also well-founded.  As he says, you can't build your own genetics
lab simulator without learning something along the way.  The chapters cover
artificial life (and an introduction to the Visual C++ environment), Conway's
game of LIFE, more Windows stuff, worms, frogs and genetics, approach/avoidance
behaviour, plant patterns, biomorphs and core wars.  But you also get lessons
in 3D modelling, multidimensional arrays, genetic inversion, polymorphic
inheritance, pointers and the proper way of dealing with strings.
 
Even if you are well-versed in these areas, you'll likely enjoy the book.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995   BKWNHTHS.RVW   950222

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