Arduino/esp8266/micropython/examples/conwaylife.py

#import essential libraries
import pyb

lcd = pyb.LCD('x')
lcd.light(1)

# do 1 iteration of Conway's Game of Life
def conway_step():
    for x in range(128):        # loop over x coordinates
        for y in range(32):     # loop over y coordinates
            # count number of neighbours
            num_neighbours = (lcd.get(x - 1, y - 1) +
                lcd.get(x, y - 1) +
                lcd.get(x + 1, y - 1) +
                lcd.get(x - 1, y) +
                lcd.get(x + 1, y) +
                lcd.get(x + 1, y + 1) +
                lcd.get(x, y + 1) +
                lcd.get(x - 1, y + 1))

            # check if the centre cell is alive or not
            self = lcd.get(x, y)

            # apply the rules of life
            if self and not (2 <= num_neighbours <= 3):
                lcd.pixel(x, y, 0) # not enough, or too many neighbours: cell dies
            elif not self and num_neighbours == 3:
                lcd.pixel(x, y, 1)   # exactly 3 neighbours around an empty cell: cell is born

# randomise the start
def conway_rand():
    lcd.fill(0)                 # clear the LCD
    for x in range(128):        # loop over x coordinates
        for y in range(32):     # loop over y coordinates
            lcd.pixel(x, y, pyb.rng() & 1)   # set the pixel randomly

# loop for a certain number of frames, doing iterations of Conway's Game of Life
def conway_go(num_frames):
    for i in range(num_frames):
        conway_step()           # do 1 iteration
        lcd.show()              # update the LCD
        pyb.delay(50)

# testing
conway_rand()
conway_go(100)