local dimensions = {}
dimensions["width"] = 36
dimensions["height"] = 20

local field = {}

for x = 1, dimensions["width"] do
	field[x] = {}
	for y = 1, dimensions["height"] do
		field[x][y] = 0
	end
end

field[1][2] = 1
field[2][2] = 1
field[2][3] = 1
field[3][3] = 1

function printField()
	for y = 1, dimensions["height"] do
		for x = 1, dimensions["width"] do
			if field[x][y] == 0 then
				write("-")
			else
				write("X")
			end
		end
		print()
	end
end

function getCorrectCoords(x, y)
	if (x > dimensions["height"]) then
		x = 1
	elseif x < 1 then
		x = dimensions["width"]
	end
	if (y > dimensions["height"]) then
		y = 1
	elseif y < 1 then
		y = dimensions["height"]
	end
	res = {x, y}
	return res
end

function countNeighbors(x, y)
local neighbors = 0
	for why = 1, 3 do
		for ex = 1, 3 do
			local coords = getCorrectCoords((x-2)+ex, (y-2)+why)
			if field[coords[1]][coords[2]] == 1 then
				neighbors = neighbors + 1
			end
		end
	end
	if field[x][y] == 1 then
		neighbors = neighbors - 1
	end
	return neighbors
end

function updateField()
	-- declares the field which will hold the new cell values
	local newfield = {} -- the problem persists even when newfield is a global variable
	-- fills newfield with 0's
	for x = 1, dimensions["width"] do
		newfield[x] = {}
		for y = 1, dimensions["height"] do
			newfield[x][y] = 0
		end
	end
	print(newfield[1][1]) -- this line executes, and throws no errors at all
	-- this block goes through cells, counts neighbors, and determines next state of cell
	for x = 1, dimensions["width"] do
		print(newfield[1][1]) -- past this point all newfield references throw errors
		for y = 1, dimensions["height"] do
		print(newfield[1][1]) -- this line executes, but as soon as it finishes it throws an error
			if (field[x][y] == 0) and (countNeighbors(x, y) == 3) then
				newfield[x][y] = 1
			elseif (field[x][y] == 1) and ((countNeighbors(x, y) == 3) or (countNeighbors(x, y) == 2)) then
				newfield[x][y] = 1
			else
				newfield = 0
			end
		end
	end
	field = newfield
end

while true do
	sleep(0.5)
	term.clear()
	term.setCursorPos(1,1)
	updateField()
	printField()
end