For those interested, see Daniel Shiffman's Nature of Code[1], a book in which you go from simple "ant" simulations to "boid" flocking behaviors, and from physics simulation to machine learning, neuroevolution, and NEAT using p5.js for graphics.
[1]: natureofcode.com
The original Boids program was developed by Craig Reynolds at Symbolics Graphics Division for their Lisp machines: https://youtu.be/xBniZYiyrb4
Adjust separation, cohesion and alignment manually, or use the presets.
I haven't yet read the article but my immediate reaction is that back around 1992 there used to be an X screensaver program that did pretty much exactly what's shown in that YT video and it was strictly algorithmic...
Yes, that algorithm is what's described in the article.
“Artificial life” can be strictly algorithmic.
The quintessential project for programming newbies. I implemented it when studying Haskell.
The impressive recent ALSA either used graphically or actually Boids. I don't know which because there's too much information to go beyond surface even in impressive things.