Processing-L-System: Explanation Required

[nickecarlo]

Hey,

I have the following piece of code in Processing (programming language) that I am supposed to change and implement in new ways. However I just can't seem to understand it. I would love it if someone here explained it to me step by step. Here's the code:

// TREE L-Systems (Branching)
int SZ = 512; //screen size
int sz = SZ/2; //half screen size
float d = sz/128; // turtle line length
float ang = (25.7/180.0)*PI; //turtle rotation
float s = 1; //branch scale factor
float x = SZ/2; // initial pos x
float y = SZ; // initial pos y
float a = -HALF_PI; //initial rotation
String state = "F"; //initial state
String F_rule = "F[+F]F[-F]F"; //substitution rule
String H_rule = "";
String f_rule = "";
int L = 5; // number of times to substitute

void setup() {
  size(SZ, SZ);
  background(255);
  stroke(0);
  // Perform L substitutions
  for (int k = 0; k < L; k++)
    state = substitute(state, F_rule, H_rule, f_rule);
  noLoop();
  println(state);
}

void draw(){
  translate(x, y);
  rotate(a);
  // Walk along state string, execute turtle command
  for (int i = 0; i < state.length(); i++)
    turtle(state.charAt(i));
}

void turtle(char c){
  switch(c){
    case 'F':
    case 'H':
      line(0, 0, d, 0);
      translate(d, 0);
      break;
    case 'f':
      translate(d, 0);
      break;
    case 's':
      scale (s, s);
      break;
    case '+':
      rotate(-ang);
      break;
    case '-':
      rotate(ang);
      break;
    case '[':
      pushMatrix();
      break;
    case ']':
      popMatrix();
      break;
    default:
      println("Bad character: " + c);
      exit();
  }
}

String substitute(String s, String F, String H, String f){
  String s2 = new String();
  for (int j = 0; j < s.length(); j++)
    if (s.charAt(j)=='F')
      s2 = s2 + F;
    else if (s.charAt(j)=='H')
      s2 = s2 + H;
    else if (s.charAt(j)=='f')
      s2 = s2 + f;
    else
      s2 = s2 + s.charAt(j);
  return s2;
}

Okay, so my questions are:

1. Is my understanding correct that x and y define the original position of where the line should start?
   
2. F[+F]F[-F]F replaces F each time it is run through the loop?
   
3. F[+F]F[-F]F means: 'F' = Create line, move cursor to where the line ends; '+' = rotate it left as per 'ang'; '-' = rotate right as per 'ang'? I do not understand push and pop Matrix, I have read the API but still don't get it so I would appreciate an explanation.
   
4. Initial rotation for the line is to go up? Is that what 'a' defines?
   
5. Are there simpler examples of this and is there a website or a book with detailed explanation of L-System as applied in Processing?

I would really appreciate help as I am completely stumped.

[TrustyTony]

Rules and images:
http://ww2.cs.mu.oz.au/~bjpop/lsystem/lsystem.html