This program uses Agent-Based modeling to simulate ants foraging for food. The application includes a Qt graphical user interface and utilizes a rigorous series of Unit Tests developed through G-Code.
In the model, ants begin at the colony (the box in red) and randomly search for food (the box in green). They deposit a pheromone trail behind them at all times that either leads to food or back to the colony. Ants that are searching for food are depicted in blue and leave blue trails, while ants that are carrying food and searching for the colony are depicted in pink and leave pink trails.
While ants are searching for either food or to return to the colony, if a desired pheromone trail is found in front of them, it will orient towards the strongest scent. In this way ants are able to make their own decisions and explore the world around them to find food and deposit it back at the colony.
The food zone shrinks for every ant that encounters it and takes a piece home! Once the food zone shrinks to zero, it respawns in a new location for the ants to find.
At any point in time, the pheremone trails can be reset, essentially confusing the ants and making them start their search again. The map can also be reset if needed.