Tutorial:Combinator tutorial - Revision history

Bilka: /* Basic clocks */ signal 1 -> signal C for the timer

2025-12-19T18:09:15Z

Basic clocks: signal 1 -> signal C for the timer

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:09, 19 December 2025
Line 104:		Line 104:

	== Basic clocks ==		== Basic clocks ==
	[[File:Timer.png\|thumb\|right\|377px\|A basic clock. 30 ticks is the ceiling for signal 1, which is continuously added.]]		[[File:Timer.png\|thumb\|right\|377px\|A basic clock. 30 ticks is the ceiling for signal C, which is continuously added.]]
	[[File:Single combinator clock.png\|thumb\|right\|Settings for a single-combinator version.]]		[[File:Single combinator clock.png\|thumb\|right\|Settings for a single-combinator version.]]
	Clocks are constructed by having the output of a combinator tied back to its own input, such that every cycle advances its own count. Either the arithmetic combinator or the decider combinator can be used.		Clocks are constructed by having the output of a combinator tied back to its own input, such that every cycle advances its own count. Either the arithmetic combinator or the decider combinator can be used.

Bilka: use updated original file

2025-03-05T15:24:49Z

use updated original file

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:24, 5 March 2025
Line 15:		Line 15:
	== Virtual signals ==		== Virtual signals ==

	[[File:~~Virtual_signals_v2~~.png\|thumb\|right\|Some of the virtual signals available for use in the circuit network]]		[[File:Virtual_Signals_dialog_box.png\|thumb\|right\|Some of the virtual signals available for use in the circuit network]]

	In addition to the standard item signals, Factorio's circuit network also includes a set of signals that do not represent any particular game item. Instead, these virtual signals serve as user-definable channels for the circuit network; they hold whatever meaning the user wants them to. There are currently 102 virtual signals that can be sent over the circuit network (or 172 in [[Space Age]]{{SA}}), split between the Signals, Enemies, Environment, and Unsorted tabs. They include but are not limited to:		In addition to the standard item signals, Factorio's circuit network also includes a set of signals that do not represent any particular game item. Instead, these virtual signals serve as user-definable channels for the circuit network; they hold whatever meaning the user wants them to. There are currently 102 virtual signals that can be sent over the circuit network (or 172 in [[Space Age]]{{SA}}), split between the Signals, Enemies, Environment, and Unsorted tabs. They include but are not limited to:

Thrawcheld: /* Basic clocks */ single combinator clock (possible since 2.0)

2025-02-19T21:17:18Z

Basic clocks: single combinator clock (possible since 2.0)

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:17, 19 February 2025
Line 104:		Line 104:

	== Basic clocks ==		== Basic clocks ==
	[[File:Timer.png\|thumb\|right\|377px\|A basic clock. 30 ticks is the ceiling for ~~Signal~~ 1; which is continuously added.]]		[[File:Timer.png\|thumb\|right\|377px\|A basic clock. 30 ticks is the ceiling for signal 1, which is continuously added.]]
			[[File:Single combinator clock.png\|thumb\|right\|Settings for a single-combinator version.]]
	Clocks are constructed by having the output of a combinator tied back to its own input, such that every cycle advances its own count. Either the arithmetic combinator or the decider combinator can be used.		Clocks are constructed by having the output of a combinator tied back to its own input, such that every cycle advances its own count. Either the arithmetic combinator or the decider combinator can be used.

	An arithmetic combinator tied to itself is fun to watch and will happily run-away, but requires additional control logic to reset.		An arithmetic combinator tied to itself is fun to watch and will happily run-away, but requires additional control logic to reset.

	With a single decider combinator, a self-resetting clock can be built. Wire output to input and configure with ~~Less Than~~ (<) with a specific number, and Input -> Output. When a constant combinator is then connected to the input, every cycle it will count up by the output of the constant combinator until the number is reached. The decider will then clear its output, only the constant combinator will contribute to the value in the network, which resets the clock.		With a single decider combinator, a self-resetting clock can be built. Wire output to input and configure with less than (<) with a specific number, and Input → Output. When a constant combinator is then connected to the input, every cycle it will count up by the output of the constant combinator until the number is reached. The decider will then clear its output, only the constant combinator will contribute to the value in the network, which resets the clock.

	This means that the clock sequence will not include zero. It will begin at the value set in the constant combinator. Furthermore, it will include the number value that causes the conditional to become false. An arithmetic combinator can modify the clock sequence, but remember that its outputs will occur one cycle later than the clock cycle values.		This means that the clock sequence will not include zero. It will begin at the value set in the constant combinator. Furthermore, it will include the number value that causes the conditional to become false. An arithmetic combinator can modify the clock sequence, but remember that its outputs will occur one cycle later than the clock cycle values.

	A clock that only counts once can be built using the following setup. The clock can get reset by enabling and disabling the constant combinator that outputs [R].		The constant combinator can be dispensed with by adding the constant 1 as an additional output. Note that this version will set the signal value equal to the threshold for one tick, so with the same thresholds it will count for 1 more tick (analogous to the difference between 1-based and 0-based counting in computer programming). If the exact period is important, the threshold must be lowered by 1 (e.g. to repeat every second (60 ticks), the threshold must be 59).

			A clock that only counts once can be built using the following setup. The clock can get reset by enabling and disabling the constant combinator that outputs [[File:Signal-R.png\|24px\|alt=R]].

	[[File:Onetime_Clock.png\|thumb\|none\|360px\|One-time clock. Runs until T=Z+1. Reset via R>0.]]		[[File:Onetime_Clock.png\|thumb\|none\|360px\|One-time clock. Runs until T=Z+1. Reset via R>0.]]

Thrawcheld: /* Basic memory */ use images (with alt text) for clarity

2025-02-19T20:39:03Z

Basic memory: use images (with alt text) for clarity

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:39, 19 February 2025
Line 83:		Line 83:
	* input and output connected to the same network (typically each other),		* input and output connected to the same network (typically each other),
	* condition set to a signal > 0 for positive values or ≠ 0 to store both positive and negative values,		* condition set to a signal > 0 for positive values or ≠ 0 to store both positive and negative values,
	* output set to the input count of a specific input signal or [*].		* output set to the input count of a specific input signal or [[File:Signal everything.png\|24px\|alt=Everything]].
	As long as all inputs on the network are zero, it will hold the previously set value.		As long as all inputs on the network are zero, it will hold the previously set value.

	Remember the two step update process from above? If the network has value [X]=5, the combinator will read this value from the network as its input, determine that it is > 0. It will then set the output to the input, which is [X]=5. In the next step, the value of the network will be computed, which is the sum of all the connected outputs, which is [X]=5, again.		Remember the two step update process from above? If the network has value [[File:Signal-X.png\|24px\|alt=X]]=5, the combinator will read this value from the network as its input, determine that it is > 0. It will then set the output to the input, which is [[File:Signal-X.png\|24px\|alt=X]]=5. In the next step, the value of the network will be computed, which is the sum of all the connected outputs, which is [[File:Signal-X.png\|24px\|alt=X]]=5, again.

	A non-zero input held over time, e. g. the output of a constant combinator, will create a basic runaway clock. The stored value will be incremented by the sum of all connected input values every cycle. So e. g. with a constant combinator that produces [A]=1 connected to the memory, the network will store the value 1 in the first tick, 2 in the second, etc., incrementing 60 times per second.		A non-zero input held over time, e. g. the output of a constant combinator, will create a basic runaway clock. The stored value will be incremented by the sum of all connected input values every cycle. So e.g. with a constant combinator that produces [[File:Signal-A.png\|24px\|alt=A]]=1 connected to the memory, the network will store the value 1 in the first tick, 2 in the second, etc., incrementing 60 times per second.
	{{BlueprintString\|bp-string=0eNqlU11rwzAM/C96TkuStWvqh8F+xyghH2orSOygyGWh5L/PjkcJJetW9hKQLd2d7pwrlI3FjkkLqCtQZXQP6uMKPZ100fgzGToEBSTYQgS6aH1VY0U18qoybUm6EMMwRkC6xk9QyRj9CuCJpNCyjJCOhwhQCwlh0DMVQ65tWyI7iodAEXSmd7NGe36Ht9sk620EA6jVNsvWW8fk5oRNk5d4Li7khlznkRpB/sGAC7FYd3JjDh2rd5jQrHcwiWcmHAKLxsor6T1U4j8nRtTzpah2G7te4sqSTKWfHr2Nd3unjxJYWPtu6Zo4qAmECxZ8w+burqab7iNxL/mfLcEL8iBn0qfgTUgIVOyLtit4kqvgzU0aK539B3Y35JP5+ZFNm5N2YKCELY7P2J/MvF6II53CTJ9Lzz3h6c2r2T8WgZPfhwCyZLPbp7vsdR+/xJtx/AJNbzZ8}}		{{BlueprintString\|bp-string=0eNqlU11rwzAM/C96TkuStWvqh8F+xyghH2orSOygyGWh5L/PjkcJJetW9hKQLd2d7pwrlI3FjkkLqCtQZXQP6uMKPZ100fgzGToEBSTYQgS6aH1VY0U18qoybUm6EMMwRkC6xk9QyRj9CuCJpNCyjJCOhwhQCwlh0DMVQ65tWyI7iodAEXSmd7NGe36Ht9sk620EA6jVNsvWW8fk5oRNk5d4Li7khlznkRpB/sGAC7FYd3JjDh2rd5jQrHcwiWcmHAKLxsor6T1U4j8nRtTzpah2G7te4sqSTKWfHr2Nd3unjxJYWPtu6Zo4qAmECxZ8w+burqab7iNxL/mfLcEL8iBn0qfgTUgIVOyLtit4kqvgzU0aK539B3Y35JP5+ZFNm5N2YKCELY7P2J/MvF6II53CTJ9Lzz3h6c2r2T8WgZPfhwCyZLPbp7vsdR+/xJtx/AJNbzZ8}}

	Again, how does this work in detail? The network will start without any values set. As soon as the constant combinator becomes active, it will produce [A]=1, and the decider combinator will produce 0 because no value is set yet. Step 2: The network will be set to the sum of all output, so [A]=1. In the next update tick, the constant combinator produces [A]=1 again, but now the decider sees [A]=1, so it would also output [A]=1. Step 2: The network is set to the sum, which is [A]=2. And so on.		Again, how does this work in detail? The network will start without any values set. As soon as the constant combinator becomes active, it will produce [[File:Signal-A.png\|24px\|alt=A]]=1, and the decider combinator will produce 0 because no value is set yet. Step 2: The network will be set to the sum of all output, so [[File:Signal-A.png\|24px\|alt=A]]=1. In the next update tick, the constant combinator produces [[File:Signal-A.png\|24px\|alt=A]]=1 again, but now the decider sees [[File:Signal-A.png\|24px\|alt=A]]=1, so it would also output [A]=1. Step 2: The network is set to the sum, which is [[File:Signal-A.png\|24px\|alt=A]]=2. And so on.

	Typically a constant combinator producing 1 will be used, but of course it could output other values, including negative values.		Typically a constant combinator producing 1 will be used, but of course it could output other values, including negative values.
	A negative ~~values~~ would decrease the stored value in the example below.		A negative value would decrease the stored value in the example below.
	If the decider combinator uses > 0 as the condition, only positive values will be allowed, so the value will stop decreasing if 0 is reached.		If the decider combinator uses > 0 as the condition, only positive values will be allowed, so the value will stop decreasing if 0 is reached.
	If the condition is ≠ 0, negative values will also be allowed.		If the condition is ≠ 0, negative values will also be allowed.

Yorven: /* Virtual signals */ Updated image and virtual signal count

2024-12-09T02:51:33Z

Virtual signals: Updated image and virtual signal count

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:51, 9 December 2024
Line 15:		Line 15:
	== Virtual signals ==		== Virtual signals ==

	[[File:~~Virtual Signals dialog box~~.png\|thumb\|right\|~~Virtual Signals~~ available for use in the circuit network]]		[[File:Virtual_signals_v2.png\|thumb\|right\|Some of the virtual signals available for use in the circuit network]]

	In addition to the standard item signals, Factorio's circuit network also includes a set of signals that do not represent any particular game item. Instead, these virtual signals serve as user-definable channels for the circuit network; they hold whatever meaning the user wants them to. There are currently 48 virtual signals that can be sent over the circuit network:		In addition to the standard item signals, Factorio's circuit network also includes a set of signals that do not represent any particular game item. Instead, these virtual signals serve as user-definable channels for the circuit network; they hold whatever meaning the user wants them to. There are currently 102 virtual signals that can be sent over the circuit network (or 172 in [[Space Age]]{{SA}}), split between the Signals, Enemies, Environment, and Unsorted tabs. They include but are not limited to:

	* The 36 alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9)		* The 36 alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9)
	* ~~Nine~~ colors: red, green, blue, yellow, magenta, cyan, white, grey, and black		* 9 colors: red, green, blue, yellow, magenta, cyan, white, grey, and black
	* ~~Three~~ icons: ~~a check mark~~, ~~an informational letter 'i'~~, and ~~a small~~, ~~white dot~~		* 25 icons: several crosses, lines, and arrows
			* All [[enemies\|enemy]] varieties
			* All environmental objects (trees, rocks, the player, and cliffs)
			* The two wires, and spidertron, discharge, and artillery remotes

	=== Logic signals ===		=== Logic signals ===

Bilka: wording

2024-08-30T15:24:06Z

wording

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:24, 30 August 2024
Line 126:		Line 126:
	The computation delay of combinators can be used to generate a one-tick pulse when a signal changes, e. g. from 0 to 1.		The computation delay of combinators can be used to generate a one-tick pulse when a signal changes, e. g. from 0 to 1.

	Connect an output of a combinator with red to the input, and with green to the output of an arithmetic combinator that multiplies by -1. When the red circuit changes a signal from 0 to 1, the ~~arco~~ gets input 1, but the output is still 0. So the green ~~circuit~~ has value 1 for this one tick. In the next tick, the ~~arco is~~ updates, so the output switches to -1. The green ~~circuit~~ now has two inputs that cancel each other out. The same happens if the red input signal changes from 1 to 0, but in this case the green ~~circuit~~ becomes -1 for one tick.		Connect an output of a combinator with red to the input, and with green to the output of an arithmetic combinator that multiplies by -1. When the red circuit changes a signal from 0 to 1, the arithmetic combinator gets input 1, but the output is still 0. So the green wire has value 1 for this one tick. In the next tick, the arithmetic combinator updates, so the output switches to -1. The green wire now has two inputs that cancel each other out. The same happens if the red input signal changes from 1 to 0, but in this case the green wire becomes -1 for one tick.

	If you're only interested in generating a pulse if the signal changes from 0 to 1, a decider combinator set to >0 can be used to filter out the negative pulses. This mechanic can e. g. be used to count the numbers of trains that enter a station.		If you're only interested in generating a pulse if the signal changes from 0 to 1, a decider combinator set to >0 can be used to filter out the negative pulses. This mechanic can e. g. be used to count the numbers of trains that enter a station.

Ndh at 19:26, 28 August 2024

2024-08-28T19:26:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:26, 28 August 2024
Line 121:		Line 121:
	*''The value 1 can be written as any positive integer, so long as it is within the cap or ceiling of your timer.''		*''The value 1 can be written as any positive integer, so long as it is within the cap or ceiling of your timer.''
	*''As an example from the above timer, this light will pulse every 1st tick after the timer reaches 30 ticks, making it pulse 1/30th of a second, as Factorio updates at 60 times per second.''		*''As an example from the above timer, this light will pulse every 1st tick after the timer reaches 30 ticks, making it pulse 1/30th of a second, as Factorio updates at 60 times per second.''

			== Edge detectors ==

			The computation delay of combinators can be used to generate a one-tick pulse when a signal changes, e. g. from 0 to 1.

			Connect an output of a combinator with red to the input, and with green to the output of an arithmetic combinator that multiplies by -1. When the red circuit changes a signal from 0 to 1, the arco gets input 1, but the output is still 0. So the green circuit has value 1 for this one tick. In the next tick, the arco is updates, so the output switches to -1. The green circuit now has two inputs that cancel each other out. The same happens if the red input signal changes from 1 to 0, but in this case the green circuit becomes -1 for one tick.

			If you're only interested in generating a pulse if the signal changes from 0 to 1, a decider combinator set to >0 can be used to filter out the negative pulses. This mechanic can e. g. be used to count the numbers of trains that enter a station.

	== Counter ==		== Counter ==

Ndh: /* Introduction */

2024-06-29T13:20:41Z

Introduction

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:20, 29 June 2024
Line 10:		Line 10:

	When cross-connecting combinators, it is good practice to use the unused color to cross-connect, this will split the input and output networks and prevent unwanted inputs from accidentally connecting to a larger circuit network. Combinators will sum the red and green inputs prior to calculation, so either color can be used when wiring the output back to the input. In most cases however, it is more useful to use the opposing color of the wire so that it will not interfere with the resulting output and input.		When cross-connecting combinators, it is good practice to use the unused color to cross-connect, this will split the input and output networks and prevent unwanted inputs from accidentally connecting to a larger circuit network. Combinators will sum the red and green inputs prior to calculation, so either color can be used when wiring the output back to the input. In most cases however, it is more useful to use the opposing color of the wire so that it will not interfere with the resulting output and input.

			When trying to understand combinators, your best friend is the in-game editor. You can pause the game and, with the "Tick once" keybinding, inspect nodes and networks as they go through different states.

	== Virtual signals ==		== Virtual signals ==

Ndh: /* Basic clocks */

2024-06-27T19:38:07Z

Basic clocks

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:38, 27 June 2024
Line 104:		Line 104:
	An arithmetic combinator tied to itself is fun to watch and will happily run-away, but requires additional control logic to reset.		An arithmetic combinator tied to itself is fun to watch and will happily run-away, but requires additional control logic to reset.

	A self-resetting clock ~~requires just a single decider combinator with~~ output ~~wired~~ to input and ~~configured~~ with Less Than (<) and Input -> Output. When a constant combinator is then connected to the input, every cycle it will count up by the ~~value~~ of the ~~Constant Combinator~~ until the ~~set conditional value~~ is reached, then output ~~a zero which will be summed with~~ the constant combinator, ~~and reset~~ the ~~process~~.		With a single decider combinator, a self-resetting clock can be built. Wire output to input and configure with Less Than (<) with a specific number, and Input -> Output. When a constant combinator is then connected to the input, every cycle it will count up by the output of the constant combinator until the number is reached. The decider will then clear its output, only the constant combinator will contribute to the value in the network, which resets the clock.

	~~The~~ clock sequence will not include zero, will begin at the value set by the constant combinator, ~~and~~ will include ~~whatever~~ value ~~eventually~~ causes the conditional to be false. An arithmetic combinator can modify the clock sequence but remember its outputs will occur one cycle later than the clock cycle values.		This means that the clock sequence will not include zero. It will begin at the value set in the constant combinator. Furthermore, it will include the number value that causes the conditional to become false. An arithmetic combinator can modify the clock sequence, but remember that its outputs will occur one cycle later than the clock cycle values.

	A clock that only counts once can be built using the following setup:		A clock that only counts once can be built using the following setup. The clock can get reset by enabling and disabling the constant combinator that outputs [R].

	[[File:Onetime_Clock.png\|thumb\|none\|360px\|One-time clock. Runs until T=Z+1. Reset via R>0.]]		[[File:Onetime_Clock.png\|thumb\|none\|360px\|One-time clock. Runs until T=Z+1. Reset via R>0.]]
			{{BlueprintString\|bp-string=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}}

	== Pulse generators ==		== Pulse generators ==

Ndh: /* Memory */

2024-06-27T19:17:45Z

Memory

@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
 A similar backup steam power example with detailed configuration and explanation can be found here:<br>[[Tutorial:Circuit_network_cookbook#RS_latch_-_single_decider_version|RS latch - single decider version]]
-== Memory ==
+== Basic memory ==
-How to store a constant value for later use, either for a basic counter or for more advanced logic. A decider combinator wired output tied to input and configured greater than zero (for positive values), input -> output will 'hold' a value, as long as all other inputs on the network are zero.
+A decider combinator can be used to store values, either for a counter or for more advanced logic (see below). The decider combinator is configured with
-Any non-zero input condition will create a basic clock; incrementing the stored value by the sum of all connected input values every cycle. A single pulse of an input will cause a single increment by the pulsed value. Reset to zero occurs whenever the set condition is no longer met, or if a negative pulse equal to the input occurs.
+Remember the two step update process from above? If the network has value [X]=5, the combinator will read this value from the network as its input, determine that it is > 0. It will then set the output to the input, which is [X]=5. In the next step, the value of the network will be computed, which is the sum of all the connected outputs, which is [X]=5, again.
 == Basic clocks ==