#ifndef _TIMESTEP_H
#define _TIMESTEP_H

#include "cell.h"

class TimeStep
{
	public:

	// default constructor
	TimeStep();

	// constructor -- take the step number;
	// also constructs the grid with non-cells 
	// (see more info below)
	TimeStep(int n);

   //returns the particular cell (the actual object)
   // specified by row x and column y in the 2D CA.
   Cell& TheCell(int x, int y);

   //returns the number of on cells around a particular cell
   int On(int x, int y);

	// determines the Long Life configuration of this 
	//	timestep from the previous timestep's configuration
	void EvolutionConwaysLife(TimeStep previousStep);

	// determines the Conway's Game of Life configuration 
	//	of this timestep from the previous timestep's configuration
	void EvolutionLongLife(TimeStep previousStep);

	Cell grid[12][12];  // the 2D array that holds the cells

	int step;  //step number
	
	int on_counter;  //counts the number of on cells around a particular cell
		
};

#endif