This document describes the programming interface for the library. The section for each class contains a description of the object's purpose followed by the creator signature and member functions. There are also sections for library constants, typedefs, and function signatures.

see also: library overview, class hierarchy, customization

typedef float GAProbability, GAProb
typedef enum  _GABoolean {gaFalse, gaTrue} GABoolean, GABool
typedef enum  _GAStatus {gaSuccess, gaFailure} GAStatus
typedef unsigned char GABit

GABoolean (*GAGeneticAlgorithm::Terminator)(GAGeneticAlgorithm & ga)
GAGenome& (*GAIncrementalGA::ReplacementFunction)(GAGenome &, GAPopulation &)

     void (*GAPopulation::Initializer)(GAPopulation &)
     void (*GAPopulation::Evaluator)(GAPopulation &)

     void (*GAGenome::Initializer)(GAGenome &)
    float (*GAGenome::Evaluator)(GAGenome &)
      int (*GAGenome::Mutator)(GAGenome &, float)
    float (*GAGenome::Comparator)(const GAGenome &, const GAGenome&)
      int (*GAGenome::SexualCrossover)(const GAGenome&, const GAGenome&, GAGenome*, GAGenome*)
      int (*GAGenome::AsexualCrossover)(const GAGenome&, GAGenome*)

      int (*GABinaryEncoder)(float& value, GABit* bits,
       			       unsigned int nbits, float min, float max)
      int (*GABinaryDecoder)(float& value, const GABit* bits,
       			       unsigned int nbits, float min, float max)

#define name        full name                   short name  default value

gaNminimaxi         minimaxi                    mm          int   gaDefMiniMaxi        = 1
gaNnGenerations     number_of_generations       ngen        int   gaDefNumGen          = 250
gaNpConvergence     convergence_percentage      pconv       float gaDefPConv           = 0.99
gaNnConvergence     generations_to_convergence  nconv       int   gaDefNConv           = 20
gaNpCrossover       crossover_probability       pcross      float gaDefPCross          = 0.9
gaNpMutation        mutation_probability        pmut        float gaDefPMut            = 0.01
gaNpopulationSize   population_size             popsize     int   gaDefPopSize         = 30
gaNnPopulations     number_of_populations       npop        int   gaDefNPop            = 10
gaNpReplacement     replacement_percentage      prepl       float gaDefPRepl           = 0.25
gaNnReplacement     replacement_number          nrepl       int   gaDefNRepl           = 5
gaNnBestGenomes     number_of_best              nbest       int   gaDefNumBestGenomes  = 1
gaNscoreFrequency   score_frequency             sfreq       int   gaDefScoreFrequency1 = 1
gaNflushFrequency   flush_frequency             ffreq       int   gaDefFlushFrequency  = 0
gaNscoreFilename    score_filename              sfile       char* gaDefScoreFilename   = "generations.dat"
gaNselectScores     select_scores               sscores     int   gaDefSelectScores    = GAStatistics::Maximum
gaNelitism          elitism                     el          GABoolean gaDefElitism     = gaTrue
gaNnOffspring       number_of_offspring         noffspr     int   gaDefNumOff          = 2
gaNrecordDiversity  record_diversity            recdiv      GABoolean gaDefDivFlag     = gaFalse
gaNpMigration       migration_percentage        pmig        float gaDefPMig            = 0.1
gaNnMigration       migration_number            nmig        int   gaDefNMig            = 5

Parameters may be specified using the full name strings (for example in parameter files), short name strings (for example on the command line), or explicit member functions (such as those of the genetic algorithm objects). All of the #defined names are simply the full names declared as #defined strings; you can use either the string (e.g. number_of_generations) or the #defined name (e.g. gaNnGenerations), but if you use the #defined name then the compiler will be able to catch your spelling mistakes.

When you specify GAlib arguments on the command line, they must be in name-value pairs. You can use either the long or short name. For example, if my program is called optimizer, the command line for running the program with a population size of 150, mutation rate of 10%, and score filename of evolve.txt would be:

optimizer popsize 150 pmut 0.1 sfile evolve.txt

char* gaErrMsg;    // globally defined pointer to current error message

int  gaDefScoreFrequency1 = 1;   // for non-overlapping populations
int  gaDefScoreFrequency2 = 100; // for overlapping populations

float gaDefLinearScalingMultiplier   = 1.2;
float gaDefSigmaTruncationMultiplier = 2.0;
float gaDefPowerScalingFactor        = 1.0005;
float gaDefSharingCutoff             = 1.0;

GAlib includes the following functions for generating random numbers:

     void GARandomSeed(unsigned s = 0)

      int GARandomInt()
      int GARandomInt(int low, int high)

   double GARandomDouble()
   double GARandomDouble(double low, double high)

    float GARandomFloat()
    float GARandomFloat(float low, float high)

      int GARandomBit()

GABoolean GAFlipCoin(float p)

      int GAGaussianInt(int stddev)
    float GAGaussianFloat(float stddev)
   double GAGaussianDouble(double stddev)

   double GAUnitGaussian()

If you call it with no argument, the GARandomSeed function uses the current time multiplied by the process ID (on systems that have PIDs) as the seed for a psuedo-random number generator. On systems with no process IDs it uses only the time. You can specify your own random seed if you like by passing a value to this function. Once a seed has been specified, subsequent calls to GARandomSeed with the same value have no effect. Subsequent calls to GARandomSeed with a different value will re-initialize the random number generator using the new value.

The functions that take low and high as argument return a random number from low to high, inclusive. The functions that take no arguments return a value in the interval [0,1]. GAFlipCoin returns a boolean value based on a biased coin toss. If you give it a value of 1 it will return a 1, if you give it a value of 0.75 it will return a 1 with a 75% chance.

The GARandomBit function is the most efficient way to do unbiased coin tosses. It uses the random bit generator described in Numerical Recipes in C.

The Gaussian functions return a random number from a Gaussian distribution with deviation that you specify. The GAUnitGaussian function returns a number from a unit Gaussian distribution with mean 0 and deviation of 1.

GAlib uses a single random number generator for the entire library. You may not change the random number generator on the fly - it can be changed only when GAlib is compiled. See the config.h and random.h header files for details. By default, GAlib uses the ran2 generator described in Numerical Recipes in C.

Exceptions are not used in GAlib version 2.x. However, some GAlib functions return a status value to indicate whether or not their operation was successful. If a function returns an error status, it posts its error message on the global GAlib error pointer, a global string called gaErrMsg.

By default, GAlib error messages are sent immediately to the error stream. You can disable the immediate printing of error messages by passing gaFalse to the ::GAReportErrors function. Passing a value of gaTrue enables the behavior.

If you would like to redirect the error messages to a different stream, use the ::GASetErrorStream function to assign a new stream. The default stream is the system standard error stream, cerr.

Here are the error control functions and variables:

extern char gaErrMsg[];
void GAReportErrors(GABoolean flag);
void GASetErrorStream(ostream&);

This is an abstract class that cannot be instantiated. Each genetic algorithm, when instantiated, will have default operators defined for it. See the documentation for the specific genetic algorithm type for details.

The base genetic algorithm class keeps track of evolution statistics such as number of mutations, number of crossovers, number of evaluations, best/mean/worst in each generation, and initial/current population statistics. It also defines the terminator, a member function that specifies the stopping criterion for the algorithm.

You can maximize or minimize by calling the appropriate member function. If you derive your own genetic algorithm, remember that users of your algorithm may need either type of optimization.

Statistics can be written to file each generation or periodically by specifying a flush frequency. Generational scores can be recorded each generation or less frequently by specifying a score frequency.

Parameters such as generations-to-completion, crossover probability and mutation probability can be set by member functions, command-line, or from file.

The evolve member function first calls initialize then calls the step member function until the done member function returns gaTrue. It calls the flushScores member as needed when the evolution is complete. If you evolve the genetic algorithm without using the evolve member function, be sure to call initialize before stepping through the evolution. You can use the step member function to evolve a single generation. You should call flushScores when the evolution is finished so that any buffered scores are flushed.

The names of the individual parameter member functions correspond to the #defined string names. You may set the parameters on a genetic algorithm one at a time (for example, using the nGenerations member function), using a parameter list (for example, using the parameters member function with a GAParameterList), by parsing the command line (for example, using the parameters member function with argc and argv), by name-value pairs (for example, using the set member function with a parameter name and value), or by reading a stream or file (for example, using the parameters member with a filename or stream).

see also: GAParameterList
see also: GAStatistics
see also: Terminators

class GAGeneticAlgorithm : public GAID

GABoolean (*GAGeneticAlgorithm::Terminator)(GAGeneticAlgorithm &)
     enum { MINIMIZE = -1, MAXIMIZE = 1 };

static GAParameterList& registerDefaultParameters(GAParameterList&);

                   void * userData()
                   void * userData(void *)

                     void initialize(unsigned int seed=0)
                     void evolve(unsigned int seed=0)
                     void step()
                GABoolean done()

GAGeneticAlgorithm::Terminator terminator()
GAGeneticAlgorithm::Terminator terminator(GAGeneticAlgorithm::Terminator)

     const GAStatistics & statistics() const
                    float convergence() const
                      int generation() const
                     void flushScores()

                      int minimaxi() const
                      int minimaxi(int)
                      int minimize()
                      int maximize()
                      int nGenerations() const
                      int nGenerations(unsigned int)
                      int nConvergence() const
                      int nConvergence(unsigned int)
                    float pConvergence() const
                    float pConvergence(float)
                    float pMutation() const
                    float pMutation(float)
                    float pCrossover() const
                    float pCrossover(float)

        GAGenome::SexualCrossover crossover(GAGenome::SexualCrossover func);
        GAGenome::SexualCrossover sexual() const;
       GAGenome::AsexualCrossover crossover(GAGenome::AsexualCrossover func);
       GAGenome::AsexualCrossover asexual() const;

   const GAPopulation & population() const
   const GAPopulation & population(const GAPopulation&)
                    int populationSize() const
                    int populationSize(unsigned int n)
                    int nBestGenomes() const 
                    int nBestGenomes(unsigned int n)

      GAScalingScheme & scaling() const
      GAScalingScheme & scaling(const GAScalingScheme&)
    GASelectionScheme & selector() const
    GASelectionScheme & selector(const GASelectionScheme& s)

                   void objectiveFunction(GAGenome::Evaluator)
                   void objectiveData(const GAEvalData&)

                      int scoreFrequency() const
                      int scoreFrequency(unsigned int frequency)
                      int flushFrequency() const 
                      int flushFrequency(unsigned int frequency)
                    char* scoreFilename() const
                    char* scoreFilename(const char *filename)
                      int selectScores() const
                      int selectScores(GAStatistics::ScoreID which)
                GABoolean recordDiversity() const
                GABoolean recordDiversity(GABoolean flag)

  const GAParameterList & parameters()
  const GAParameterList & parameters(const GAParameterList &)
  const GAParameterList & parameters(int& argc, char** argv, GABoolean flag = gaFalse)
  const GAParameterList & parameters(const char* filename, GABoolean flag = gaFalse);
  const GAParameterList & parameters(istream&, GABoolean flag = gaFalse);

                      int set(const char* s, int v)
                      int set(const char* s, unsigned int v)
                      int set(const char* s, char v)
                      int set(const char* s, const char* v)
                      int set(const char* s, const void* v)
                      int set(const char* s, double v);

                      int write(const char* filename)
                      int write(ostream&)
                      int read(const char* filename)
                      int read(ostream&)

convergence

Returns the current convergence. The convergence is defined as the ratio of the Nth previous best-of-generation score to the current best-of-generation score.

crossover

Specify the mating method to use for evolution. This can be changed during the course of an evolution. This genetic algorithm uses only sexual crossover.

done

Returns gaTrue if the termination criteria have been met, returns gaFalse otherwise. This function simply calls the completion function that was specified using the terminator member function.

evolve

Initialize the genetic algorithm then evolve it until the termination criteria have been satisfied. This function first calls initialize then calls the step member function until the done member function returns gaTrue. It calls the flushScores member as needed when the evolution is complete. You may pass a seed to evolve if you want to specify your own random seed.

flushFrequency

Use this member function to specify how often the scores should be flushed to disk. A value of 0 means do not write to disk. A value of 100 means to flush the scores every 100 generations.

flushScores

Force the genetic algorithm to flush its generational data to disk. If you have specified a flushFrequency of 0 or specified a scoreFilename of nil then calling this function has no effect.

generation

Returns the current generation.

initialize

Initialize the genetic algorithm. If you specify a seed, this function calls GARandomSeed with that value. If you do not specify a seed, GAlib will choose one for you as described in the random functions section. It then initializes the population and does the first population evaluation.

nBestGenomes

Specify how many 'best' genomes to record. For example, if you specify 10, the genetic algorithm will keep the 10 best genomes that it ever encounters. Beware that if you specify a large number here the algorithm will slow down because it must compare the best of each generation with its current list of best individuals. The default is 1.

nConvergence

Set/Get the number of generations used for the convergence test.

nGenerations

Set/Get the number of generations.

objectiveData

Set the objective data member on all individuals used by the genetic algorithm. This can be changed during the course of an evolution.

objectiveFunction

Set the objective function on all individuals used by the genetic algorithm. This can be changed during the course of an evolution.

parameters

Returns a reference to a parameter list containing the current values of the genetic algorithm parameters.

parameters(GAParameterList&)

Set the parameters for the genetic algorithm. To use this member function you must create a parameter list (an array of name-value pairs) then pass it to the genetic algorithm.

parameters(int& argc, char** argv, GABoolean flag = gaFalse)

Set the parameters for the genetic algorithm. Use this member function to let the genetic algorithm parse your command line for arguments that GAlib understands. This method decrements argc and moves the pointers in argv appropriately to remove from the list the arguments that it understands. If you pass gaTrue as the third argument then the method will complain about any command-line arguments that are not recognized by this genetic algorithm.

parameters(char* filename, GABoolean flag = gaFalse)

parameters(istream&, GABoolean flag = gaFalse)

Set the parameters for the genetic algorithm. This version of the parameters member function will parse the specified file or stream for parameters that the genetic algorithm understands. If you pass gaTrue as the second argument then the method will complain about any parameters that are not recognized by this genetic algorithm.

pConvergence

Set/Get the convergence percentage. The convergence is defined as the ratio of the Nth previous best-of-generation score to the current best-of-generation score. N is defined by the nConvergence member function.

pCrossover

Set/Get the crossover probability.

pMutation

Set/Get the mutation probability.

population

Set/Get the population. Returns a reference to the current population.

populationSize

Set/Get the population size. This can be changed during the course of an evolution.

recordDiversity

Convenience function for specifying whether or not to calculate diversity. Since diversity calculations require comparison of each individual with every other, recording this statistic can be expensive. The default is gaFalse (diversity is not recorded).

registerDefaultParameters

Each genetic algorithm defines this member function to declare the parameters that work with it. Pass a parameter list to this function and this function will configure the list with the default parameter list and values for the genetic algorithm class from which you called it. This is a statically defined function, so invoke it using the class name of the genetic algorithm whose parameters you want to use, for example, GASimpleGA::registerDefaultParameters(list). The default parameters for the base genetic algorithm class are:

• flushFrequency
• minimaxi
• nBestGenomes
• nGenerations
• nConvergence
• pConvergence
• pCrossover
• pMutation
• populationSize
• recordDiversity
• scoreFilename
• scoreFrequency
• selectScores

scaling

Set/Get the scaling scheme. The specified scaling scheme must be derived from the GAScalingScheme class. This can be changed during the course of an evolution.

scoreFilename

Specify the name of the file to which the scores should be recorded.

scoreFrequency

Specify how often the generational scores should be recorded. The default depends on the type of genetic algorithm that you are using. You can record mean, max, min, stddev, and diversity for every n generations.

selector

Set/Get the selection scheme for the genetic algorithm. The selector is used to pick individuals from a population before mating and mutation occur. This can be changed during the course of an evolution.

selectScores

This function is used to specify which scores should be saved to disk. The argument is the logical OR of the following values: Mean, Maximum, Minimum, Deviation, Diversity (all defined in the scope of the GAStatistics object). To record all of the scores, pass GAStatistics::AllScores. When written to file, the format is as follows:

generation  TAB  mean  TAB  max  TAB  min  TAB deviation  TAB  diversity NEWLINE

set

Set individual parameters for the genetic algorithm. The first argument should be the full- or short-name of the parameter you wish to set. The second argument is the value to which you would like to set the parameter.

statistics

Returns a reference to the statistics object in the genetic algorithm. The statistics object maintains information such as best, worst, mean, and standard deviation, and diversity of each generation as well as a separate population with the best individuals ever encountered by the genetic algorithm.

step

Evolve the genetic algorithm for one generation.

terminator

Set/Get the termination function. The genetic algorithm is complete when the completion function returns gaTrue. The function must have the proper signature.

userData

Set/Get the userData member of the genetic algorithm. This member is a generic pointer to any information that needs to be stored with the genetic algorithm.

This genetic algorithm is the 'simple' genetic algorithm that Goldberg describes in his book. It uses non-overlapping populations. When you create a simple genetic algorithm, you must specify either an individual or a population of individuals. The new genetic algorithm will clone the individual(s) that you specify to make its own population. You can change most of the genetic algorithm behaviors after creation and during the course of the evolution.

The simple genetic algorithm creates an initial population by cloning the individual or population you pass when you create it. Each generation the algorithm creates an entirely new population of individuals by selecting from the previous population then mating to produce the new offspring for the new population. This process continues until the stopping criteria are met (determined by the terminator).

Elitism is optional. By default, elitism is on, meaning that the best individual from each generation is carried over to the next generation. To turn off elitism, pass gaFalse to the elitist member function.

The score frequency for this genetic algorithm defaults to 1 (it records the best-of-generation every generation). The default scaling is Linear, the default selection is RouletteWheel.

see also: GAGeneticAlgorithm

class GASimpleGA : public GAGeneticAlgorithm

GASimpleGA(const GAGenome&)
GASimpleGA(const GAPopulation&)
GASimpleGA(const GASimpleGA&)

static GAParameterList& registerDefaultParameters(GAParameterList&);

           GASimpleGA & operator++()

              GABoolean elitist() const
              GABoolean elitist(GABoolean flag)

elitist

Set/Get the elitism flag. If you specify gaTrue, the genetic algorithm will copy the best individual from the previous population into the current population if no individual in the current population is any better.

operator++

The increment operator evolves the genetic algorithm's population by one generation by calling the step member function.

registerDefaultParameters

This function adds to the specified list parameters that are of interest to this genetic algorithm. The default parameters for the simple genetic algorithm are the parameters for the base genetic algorithm class plus the following:

• elitism

This genetic algorithm is similar to the algorithms described by DeJong. It uses overlapping populations with a user-specifiable amount of overlap. The algorithm creates a population of individuals by cloning the genome or population that you pass when you create it. Each generation the algorithm creates a temporary population of individuals, adds these to the previous population, then removes the worst individuals in order to return the population to its original size.

You can select the amount of overlap between generations by specifying the pReplacement parameter. This is the percentage of the population that should be replaced each generation. Newly generated offspring are added to the population, then the worst individuals are destroyed (so the new offspring may or may not make it into the population, depending on whether they are better than the worst in the population).

If you specify a replacement percentage, then that percentage of the population will be replaced each generation. Alternatively, you can specify a number of individuals (less than the number in the population) to replace each generation. You cannot specify both - in a parameter list containing both parameters, the latter is used.

The score frequency for this genetic algorithm defaults to 100 (it records the best-of-generation every 100th generation). The default scaling is Linear, the default selection is RouletteWheel.

see also: GAGeneticAlgorithm

class GASteadyStateGA : public GAGeneticAlgorithm

GASteadyStateGA(const GAGenome&)
GASteadyStateGA(const GAPopulation&)
GASteadyStateGA(const GASteadyStateGA&)

static GAParameterList& registerDefaultParameters(GAParameterList&);

      GASteadyStateGA & operator++()

                  float pReplacement() const
                  float pReplacement(float percentage)
                    int nReplacement() const
                    int nReplacement(unsigned int)

nReplacement

Specify a number of individuals to replace each generation. When you specify a number of individuals to replace, the pReplacement value is set to 0.

operator++

The increment operator evolves the genetic algorithm's population by one generation by calling the step member function.

pReplacement

Specify a percentage of the population to replace each generation. When you specify a replacement percentage, the nReplacement value is set to 0.

registerDefaultParameters

This function adds to the specified list parameters that are of interest to this genetic algorithm. The default parameters for the steady-state genetic algorithm are the parameters for the base genetic algorithm class plus the following:

• pReplacement
• nReplacement

This genetic algorithm is similar to those based on the GENITOR model. It uses overlapping populations, but very little overlap (only one or two individuals get replaced each generation). The default replacement scheme is WORST. A replacement function is required only if you use CUSTOM or CROWDING as the replacement scheme. You can do DeJong-style crowding by specifying a distance function with the CROWDING option. (for best DeJong-style results, derive your own genetic algorithm)

You can specify the number of children that are generated in each 'generation' by using the nOffspring member function. Since this genetic algorithm is based on a two-parent crossover model, the number of offspring must be either 1 or 2. The default is 2.

Use the replacement method to specify which type of replacement the genetic algorithm should use. The replacement strategy determines how the new children will be inserted into the population. If you want the new child to replace one of its parents, use the Parent strategy. If you want the child to replace a random population member, use the Random strategy. If you want the child to replace the worst population member, use the Worst strategy.

If you specify CUSTOM or CROWDING you must also specify a replacement function with the proper signature. This function is used to pick which genome will be replaced. The first argument passed to the replacement function is the individual that is supposed to go into the population. The second argument is the population into which the individual is supposed to go. The replacement function should return a reference to the genome that the individual should replace. If no replacement should take place, the replacement function should return a reference to the individual.

The score frequency for this genetic algorithm defaults to 100 (it records the best-of-generation every 100th generation). The default scaling is Linear, the default selection is RouletteWheel.

see also: GAGeneticAlgorithm

class GAIncrementalGA : public GAGeneticAlgorithm

GAGenome& (*GAIncrementalGA::ReplacementFunction)(GAGenome &, GAPopulation &)

enum ReplacementScheme {
    RANDOM = GAPopulation::RANDOM,
    BEST = GAPopulation::BEST,
    WORST = GAPopulation::WORST,
    CUSTOM = -30,
    CROWDING = -30,
    PARENT = -10
    };

GAIncrementalGA(const GAGenome&)
GAIncrementalGA(const GAPopulation&)
GAIncrementalGA(const GAIncrementalGA&)

static GAParameterList& registerDefaultParameters(GAParameterList&);

      GASteadyStateGA & operator++()

      ReplacementScheme replacement()
      ReplacementScheme replacement(ReplacementScheme, ReplacementFunction f = NULL)

                    int nOffspring() const
                    int nOffspring(unsigned int n)

nOffspring

The incremental genetic algorithm can produce either one or two individuals each generation. Use this member function to specify how many individuals you would like.

operator++

The increment operator evolves the genetic algorithm's population by one generation by calling the step member function.

registerDefaultParameters

This function adds to the specified list parameters that are of interest to this genetic algorithm. The default parameters for the incremental genetic algorithm are the parameters for the base genetic algorithm class plus the following:

• nOffspring

replacement

Specify a replacement method. The scheme can be one of

• GAIncrementalGA::RANDOM
• GAIncrementalGA::BEST
• GAIncrementalGA::WORST
• GAIncrementalGA::CUSTOM
• GAIncrementalGA::CROWDING
• GAIncrementalGA::PARENT

If you specify custom or crowding replacement then you must also specify a function. The replacement function takes two arguments: the individual to insert and the population into which it will be inserted. The replacement function should return a reference to the genome that should be replaced. If no replacement should take place, the replacement function should return a reference to the individual passed to it.

This genetic algorithm has multiple, independent populations. It creates the populations by cloning the genome or population that you pass when you create it.

Each population evolves using a steady-state genetic algorithm, but each generation some individuals migrate from one population to another. The migration algorithm is deterministic stepping-stone; each population migrates a fixed number of its best individuals to its neighbor. The master population is updated each generation with best individual from each population.

If you want to experiment with other migration methods, derive a new class from this one and define a new migration operator. You can change the evolution behavior by defining a new step method in a derived class.

see also: GAGeneticAlgorithm

class GADemeGA : public GAGeneticAlgorithm

enum { ALL= -1 };

GADemeGA(const GAGenome&)
GADemeGA(const GAPopulation&)
GADemeGA(const GADemeGA&)

static GAParameterList& registerDefaultParameters(GAParameterList&);

               void migrate()
         GADemeGA & operator++()

const GAPopulation& population(unsigned int i) const
const GAPopulation& population(int i, const GAPopulation&)
                int populationSize(unsigned int i) const
                int populationSize(int i, unsigned int n)
                int nReplacement(unsigned int i) const
                int nReplacement(int i, unsigned int n)
                int nMigration() const
                int nMigration(unsigned int i)
                int nPopulations() const
                int nPopulations(unsigned int i)
const GAStatistics& statistics() const
const GAStatistics& statistics(unsigned int i) const

nMigration

Specify the number of individuals to migrate each generation. Each population will migrate this many of its best individuals to the next population (the stepping-stone migration model). The individuals replace the worst individuals in the receiving population.

nReplacement

Specify a number of individuals to replace each generation. When you specify a number of individuals to replace, the pReplacement value is set to 0. The first argument specifies which population should be modified. Use GADemeGA::ALL to apply to all populations.

operator++

The increment operator evolves the genetic algorithm's population by one generation by calling the step member function.

pReplacement

Specify a percentage of the population to replace each generation. When you specify a replacement percentage, the nReplacement value is set to 0. The first argument specifies which population should be modified. Use GADemeGA::ALL to apply to all populations.

registerDefaultParameters

This function adds parameters to the specified list that are of interest to this genetic algorithm. The default parameters for the deme genetic algorithm are the parameters for the base genetic algorithm class plus the following:

• nMigration
• nPopulations

Completion functions are used to determine whether or not a genetic algorithm is finished. The done member function simply calls the completion function to determine whether or not the genetic algorithm should continue. The predefined completion functions use generation and convergence to determine whether or not the genetic algorithm is finished.

The completion function returns gaTrue when the genetic algorithm should finish, and gaFalse when the genetic algorithm should continue.

In this context, convergence refers to the the similarity of the objective scores, not similarity of underlying genetic structure. The built-in convergence measures use the best-of-generation scores to determine whether or not the genetic algorithm has plateaued.

GABoolean GAGeneticAlgorithm::TerminateUponGeneration(GAGeneticAlgorithm &)
GABoolean GAGeneticAlgorithm::TerminateUponConvergence(GAGeneticAlgorithm &)
GABoolean GAGeneticAlgorithm::TerminateUponPopConvergence(GAGeneticAlgorithm &)

TerminateUponGeneration

This function compares the current generation to the specified number of generations. If the current generation is less than the requested number of generations, it returns gaFalse. Otherwise, it returns gaTrue.

TerminateUponConvergence

This function compares the current convergence to the specified convergence value. If the current convergence is less than the requested convergence, it returns gaFalse. Otherwise, it returns gaTrue.

Convergence is a number between 0 and 1. A convergence of 1 means that the nth previous best-of-generation is equal to the current best-of-generation. When you use convergence as a stopping criterion you must specify the convergence percentage and you may specify the number of previous generations against which to compare. The genetic algorithm will always run at least this many generations.

TerminateUponPopConvergence

This function compares the population average to the score of the best individual in the population. If the population average is within pConvergence of the best individual's score, it returns gaTrue. Otherwise, it returns gaFalse.

For details about how to write your own termination function, see the customizations page.

The replacement scheme is used by the incremental genetic algorithm to determine how a new individual should be inserted into a population. Valid replacement schemes include:

GAIncrementalGA::RANDOM
GAIncrementalGA::BEST
GAIncrementalGA::WORST
GAIncrementalGA::CUSTOM
GAIncrementalGA::CROWDING
GAIncrementalGA::PARENT

In general, replace worst produces the best results. Replace parent is useful for basic speciation, and custom replacement can be used when you want to do your own type of speciation.

If you specify CUSTOM or CROWDING replacement then you must also specify a replacement function. The replacement function takes as arguments an individual and the population into which the individual should be placed. It returns a reference to the genome that the individual should replace. If the individual should not be inserted into the population, the function should return a reference to the individual.

Any replacement function must have the following function prototype:

typedef GAGenome& (*GAIncrementalGA::ReplacementFunction)(GAGenome &, GAPopulation &);

The first argument is the genome that will be inserted into the population, the second argument is the population into which the genome should be inserted. The function should return a reference to the genome that will be replaced. If no replacement occurs, the function should return a reference to the original genome.

For details about how to write your own replacement function, see the customizations page.

The evaluation data object is a generic base class for genome- and/or population-specific data. Whereas the userData member of the genome is shared by all genomes in a population, the evalData member is unique to each genome. The base class defines the copy/clone interface for the evaluation data object. Your derived classes should use this mechanism. Any derived class must define a clone and copy member function. These will be called by the base class when the evaluation data is cloned/copied by the genomes/populations.

class GAEvalData : public GAID

GAEvalData()
GAEvalData(const GAEvalData&) 

GAEvalData* clone() const
       void copy(const GAEvalData&)

The genome is a virtual base class and cannot be instantiated. It defines a number of constants and function prototypes specific to the genome and its derived classes.

The dimension is used to specify which dimension is being referred to in multi-dimensional genomes. The clone method specifies whether to clone the entire genome (a new genome with contents identical to the original will be created) or just the attributes of the genome (a new genome with identical characteristics will be created). In both cases the caller is responsible for deleting the memory allocated by the clone member function. The resize constants are used when specifying a resizable genome's resize behavior.

The genetic operators for genomes are functions that take generic genomes as their arguments. This makes it possible to define new behaviors for existing genome classes without deriving a new class. The genetic operators are defined with the following prototypes:

Instructions for deriving your own genome class are in the customization page.

class GAGenome : public GAID

enum GAGenome::Dimension { LENGTH, WIDTH, HEIGHT, DEPTH }
enum GAGenome::CloneMethod { CONTENTS, ATTRIBUTES }
enum { FIXED_SIZE = -1, ANY_SIZE = -10 }

    float (*GAGenome::Evaluator)(GAGenome &)
     void (*GAGenome::Initializer)(GAGenome &)
      int (*GAGenome::Mutator)(GAGenome &, float)
    float (*GAGenome::Comparator)(const GAGenome &, const GAGenome&)
      int (*GAGenome::SexualCrossover)(const GAGenome&, const GAGenome&, GAGenome*, GAGenome*);
      int (*GAGenome::AsexualCrossover)(const GAGenome&, GAGenome*);

              virtual void copy(const GAGenome & c)
        virtual GAGenome * clone(CloneMethod flag = CONTENTS)

                     float score(GABoolean flag = gaFalse)
                     float score(float s)
                       int nevals()

                     float evaluate(GABoolean flag = gaFalse)
       GAGenome::Evaluator evaluator() const
       GAGenome::Evaluator evaluator(GAGenome::Evaluator func)

                      void initialize()
       GAGenomeInitializer initializer() const
       GAGenomeInitializer initializer(GAGenome::Initializer func)

                       int mutate(float pmutation)
         GAGenome::Mutator mutator() const
         GAGenome::Mutator mutator(GAGenome::Mutator func)

                     float compare(const GAGenome& g) const
      GAGenome::Comparator comparator() const 
      GAGenome::Comparator comparator(GAGenome::Comparator c)

 GAGenome::SexualCrossover crossover(GAGenome::SexualCrossover func)
 GAGenome::SexualCrossover sexual()
GAGenome::AsexualCrossover crossover(GAGenome::AsexualCrossover func)
GAGenome::AsexualCrossover asexual()

      GAGeneticAlgorithm * geneticAlgorithm() const
      GAGeneticAlgorithm * geneticAlgorithm(GAGeneticAlgorithm &)
                    void * userData() const
                    void * userData(void * data)
              GAEvalData * evalData() const
              GAEvalData * evalData(void * data)

               virtual int read(istream &)
               virtual int write(ostream &) const

               virtual int equal(const GAGenome &) const
               virtual int notequal(const GAGenome &) const

These operators call the corresponding virtual members so that they will work on any properly derived genome class.

              friend int operator==(const GAGenome&, const GAGenome&)
              friend int operator!=(const GAGenome&, const GAGenome&)
        friend ostream & operator<<(ostream&, const GAGenome&)
        friend istream & operator>>(istream&, GAGenome&)

clone

This method allocates space for a new genome whereas the copy method uses the space of the genome to which it belongs.

compare

Compare two genomes. The comparison can be genotype- or phenotype-based. The comparison returns a value greater than or equal to 0. 0 means the two genomes are identical (no diversity). The exact meaning of the comparison is up to you.

comparator

Set/Get the comparison method. The comparator must have the correct signature.

copy

The copy member function is called by the base class' operator= and clone members. You can use it to copy the contents of a genome into an existing genome.

crossover

Each genome class can define its preferred mating method. Use this method to assign the preferred crossover for a genome instance.

equal

notequal

'equal' and 'notequal' are genome-specific. See the documentation for each genome class for specific details about what 'equal' means. For example, genomes that have identical contents but different allele sets may or may not be considered equal. By default, notequal just calls the equal function, but you can override this in derived classes if you need to optimize the comparison.

evalData

Set/Get the object used to store genome-specific evaluation data. Each genome owns its own evaluation data object; cloning a genome clones the evaluation data as well.

evaluate

Invoke the genome's evaluation function. If you call this member with gaTrue, the evaluation function is called no matter what (assuming one has been assigned to the genome). By default, the argument to this function is gaFalse, so the genome's evaluation function is called only if the state of the genome has not changed since the last time the evaluator was invoked.

evaluator

Set/Get the function used to evaluate the genome.

geneticAlgorithm

The member function returns a pointer to the genetic algorithm that 'owns' the genome. If this function returns nil then the genome has no genetic algorithm owner.

initialize

Calls the initialization function for the genome.

initializer

Set/Get the initialization method. The initializer must have the correct signature.

mutate

Calls the mutation method for the genome. The value is typically the mutation likliehood, but the exact interpretation of this value is up to the designer of the mutation method.

mutator

Set/Get the mutation method. The mutator must have the correct signature.

nevals

Returns the number of objective function evaluations since the genome was initialized.

operator==

operator!=

operator<<

operator>>

These methods call the associated virtual member functions. They can be used on any generic genome. If the derived class was properly defined, the appropriate derived functions will be called and the functions will operate on the derived classes rather than the base class.

read

Fill the genome with the data read from the specified stream.

sexual

asexual

Returns a pointer to the preferred mating method for this genome. If this function returns nil, no mating method has been defined for the genome. The genetic algorithm object has ultimate control over the mating method that is actually used in the evolution.

score

Returns the objective score of the genome using the objective function assigned to the genome. If no objective function has been assigned and no score has been set, a score of 0 will be returned. If the score function is called with an argument, the genome's objective score is set to that value (useful for population-based objective functions in which the population object does the evaluations).

userData

Each genome contains a generic pointer to user-specifiable data. Use this member function to set/get that pointer. Notice that cloning a genome will cause the cloned genome to refer to the same user data pointer as the original; the user data is not cloned as well. So all genomes in a population refer to the same user data.

write

Send the contents of the genome to the specified stream.

The list genome is a template class. It is derived from the GAGenome class as well as the GAList<> class. It can be used for order-based representations or variable length sequences as well as traditional applications of lists.

You must define an initialization operator for this class. The default initializer is NoInitializer - if you do not assign an initialization operator then you'll get errors about no initializer defined when you try to initialize the genome.

see also: GAList
see also: GAGenome

class GAListGenome<T> : public GAList<T>, public GAGenome

GAListGenome(GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL, void * userData = NULL)
GAListGenome(const GAListGenome<T> &)

GAListGenome<>::DestructiveMutator
GAListGenome<>::SwapMutator
GAListGenome<>::OnePointCrossover
GAListGenome<>::PartialMatchCrossover
GAListGenome<>::OrderCrossover
GAListGenome<>::CycleCrossover

initialization:  GAGenome::NoInitializer
    comparison:  GAGenome::NoComparator
      mutation:  GAListGenome<>::SwapMutator
     crossover:  GAListGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

The tree genome is a template class. It is derived from the GAGenome class as well as the GATree<> class. The tree genome can be used for direct manipulation of tree objects. It can be used to represent binary trees as well as non-binary trees.

You must define an initialization operator for this class. The default initializer is NoInitializer - if you do not assign an initialization operator then you'll get errors about no initializer defined when you try to initialize the genome.

see also: GATree
see also: GAGenome

class GATreeGenome<T> : public GATree<T>, public GAGenome

GATreeGenome(GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL, void * userData = NULL)
GATreeGenome(const GATreeGenome<T> &)

GATreeGenome<>::DestructiveMutator
GATreeGenome<>::SwapSubtreeMutator
GATreeGenome<>::SwapNodeMutator
GATreeGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

initialization:  GAGenome::NoInitializer
    comparison:  GAGenome::NoComparator
      mutation:  GATreeGenome<>::SwapSubtreeMutator
     crossover:  GATreeGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

The string genome can be used for order-based applications, variable length string applications, or non-binary allele set alphabets. The allele set defines the possible values that each element in the string may assume.

The string genome is a specialization of the array genome with alleles. The specialization is of type char. You must create an allele set or array of allele sets before you can instantiate this genome.

If you create a string genome using a single allele set, each element in the genome will use that allele set to determine its value. If you create a string genome using an allele set array, the string will have a length equal to the number of elements in the array and each element of the string will be governed by the allele set corresponding to its location in the string.

To use the string genome in your code, you must include the string genome header file in each of your files that uses the string genome. You must also include the string genome source file (it contains template specialization code) in one (and only one) of your source files. Including the string genome source file will force the compiler to use the string specializations. If you do not include the string genome source file you will get the generic array routines instead (and some of the allele methods will not work as expected).

see also: GA1DArrayAlleleGenome
see also: GAAlleleSet
see also: GAAlleleSetArray

typedef GAAlleleSet<char>                    GAStringAlleleSet
typedef GAAlleleSetCore<char>                GAStringAlleleSetCore
typedef GAAlleleSetArray<char>               GAStringAlleleSetArray
typedef GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<char>          GAStringGenome

GAStringGenome(unsigned int length,
               const GAStringAlleleSet &,
               GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
               void * userData = NULL)
GAStringGenome(const GAStringAlleleSetArray &,
               GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
               void * userData = NULL)
GAStringGenome(const GAStringGenome&)

GAStringGenome::UniformInitializer
GAStringGenome::OrderedInitializer
GAStringGenome::FlipMutator
GAStringGenome::SwapMutator
GAStringGenome::UniformCrossover
GAStringGenome::EvenOddCrossover
GAStringGenome::OnePointCrossover
GAStringGenome::TwoPointCrossover
GAStringGenome::PartialMatchCrossover
GAStringGenome::OrderCrossover
GAStringGenome::CycleCrossover

initialization:  GAStringGenome::UniformInitializer
    comparison:  GAStringGenome::ElementComparator
      mutation:  GAStringGenome::FlipMutator
     crossover:  GAStringGenome::UniformCrossover

The real number genome was designed to be used for applications whose representation requires an array of (possibly bounded) real number parameters. The elements of the array can assume bounded values, discretized bounded values, or enumerated values, depending on the type of allele set that is used to create the genome. You can mix the bounding within the genome by specifying an appropriate array of allele sets. The allele set defines the possible values that each element in the genome may assume.

The real number genome is a specialization of the array genome with alleles. The specialization is of type float. You must create an allele set or array of allele sets before you can instantiate this genome.

If you create a real number genome using a single allele set, each element in the genome will use that allele set to determine its value. If you create a real number genome using an allele set array, the genome will have a length equal to the number of elements in the array and each element of the real number will be governed by the allele set corresponding to its location in the genome.

To use the real genome in your code, you must include the real genome header file in each of your files that uses the real genome. You must also include the real genome source file (it contains template specialization code) in one (and only one) of your source files. Including the real genome source file will force the compiler to use the real specializations. If you do not include the real genome source file you will get the generic array routines instead (and some of the allele methods will not work as expected).

see also: GA1DArrayAlleleGenome
see also: GAAlleleSet see also: GAAlleleSetArray

typedef GAAlleleSet<float>                    GARealAlleleSet
typedef GAAlleleSetCore<float>                GARealAlleleSetCore
typedef GAAlleleSetArray<float>               GARealAlleleSetArray
typedef GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<float>          GARealGenome

GARealGenome(unsigned int length,
             const GARealAlleleSet &,
             GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
             void * userData = NULL)
GARealGenome(const GARealAlleleSetArray &,
             GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
             void * userData = NULL)
GARealGenome(const GARealGenome&)

GARealGenome::UniformInitializer
GARealGenome::OrderedInitializer
GARealGenome::FlipMutator
GARealGenome::SwapMutator
GARealGaussianMutator
GARealGenome::UniformCrossover
GARealGenome::EvenOddCrossover
GARealGenome::OnePointCrossover
GARealGenome::TwoPointCrossover
GARealGenome::PartialMatchCrossover
GARealGenome::OrderCrossover
GARealGenome::CycleCrossover
GARealBlendCrossover
GARealArithmeticCrossover

initialization:  GARealGenome::UniformInitializer
    comparison:  GARealGenome::ElementComparator
      mutation:  GARealGaussianMutator
     crossover:  GARealGenome::UniformCrossover

This genome is an implementation of the traditional method for converting binary strings to decimal values. It contains a mechanism for customized encoding of the bit string; binary-to-decimal and one form of Gray coding are built in to the library. The default is binary-to-decimal mapping (counting in base 2). To use this genome, you must create a mapping of bits to decimal values by specifying how many bits will be used to represent what bounded numbers. The binary-to-decimal genome is derived from the 1DBinaryStringGenome class.

You must create a phenotype before you can instantiate this genome. The phenotype defines how bits should map into decimal values and vice versa. A single binary-to-decimal phenotype contains the number of bits used to represent the decimal value and the minimum and maximum decimal values to which the set of bits will map.

see also: GA1DBinaryStringGenome
see also: GABin2DecPhenotype
see also: GACrossover

class GABin2DecGenome : public GA1DBinaryStringGenome

GABin2DecGenome(const GABin2DecPhenotype &,
                GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                void * userData = NULL)
GABin2DecGenome(const GABin2DecGenome&)

const GABin2DecPhenotype& phenotypes(const GABin2DecPhenotype &)
const GABin2DecPhenotype& phenotypes() const
                       int nPhenotypes() const
                     float phenotype(unsigned int n) const
                     float phenotype(unsigned int n, float value)

                      void encoder(GABinaryEncoder)
                      void decoder(GABinaryDecoder)

encoder

decoder

Use these member functions to set the encoder/decoder for the genome. These functions determine what method will be used for converting the binary bits to decimal numbers. The functions that you specify here must have the proper signature.

nPhenotype

Returns the number of phenotypes (i.e. the number of decimal values represented) in the genome.

phenotypes

Set/Get the mapping from binary to decimal numbers.

phenotype

Set/Get the specified phenotype.

initialization:  GA1DBinaryStringGenome::UniformInitializer
    comparison:  GA1DBinaryStringGenome::BitComparator
      mutation:  GA1DBinaryStringGenome::FlipMutator
     crossover:  GA1DBinaryStringGenome::OnePointCrossover
   de/encoding:  GABinaryEncode/GABinaryDecode

Conversion functions are defined for transforming strings of bits to decimal values and vice versa. The function prototypes for the encoding (decimal-to-binary) and decoding (binary-to-decimal) are defined as follows:

typedef int (*GABinaryEncoder)(float& value, GABit* bits,
			       unsigned int nbits, float min, float max);
typedef int (*GABinaryDecoder)(float& value, const GABit* bits,
			       unsigned int nbits, float min, float max);

The library includes the following binary-to-decimal/decimal-to-binary converters:

GABinaryEncode/GABinaryDecode

Convert using a binary coding scheme.

GAGrayEncode/GAGrayDecode

Convert using a Gray coding scheme.

The binary string genome is derived from the GABinaryString and GAGenome classes. It is a string of 1s and 0s whose length may be fixed or variable.

The genes in this genomes are bits. The alleles for each bit are 0 and 1.

see also: GABinaryString
see also: GAGenome

class GA1DBinaryStringGenome : public GABinaryString, public GAGenome

GA1DBinaryStringGenome(unsigned int x,
                       GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                       void * userData = NULL)
GA1DBinaryStringGenome(const GA1DBinaryStringGenome&)

short gene(unsigned int x = 0) const
short gene(unsigned int, short value)
  int length() const
  int length(int l)
  int resize(int x)
  int resizeBehaviour() const
  int resizeBehaviour(unsigned int minx, unsigned int maxx)
 void copy(const GA1DBinaryStringGenome &,
           unsigned int xdest, unsigned int xsrc, unsigned int length)
 void set(unsigned int x, unsigned int length)
 void unset(unsigned int x, unsigned int length)

copy

Copy the specified bits from the designated genome.

gene

Set/Get the specified bit.

length

Set/Get the length of the bit string.

resize

Set the length of the bit string.

resizeBehaviour

Set/Get the resize behavior. The min value specifies the minimum allowable length, the max value specifies the maximum allowable length. If min and max are equal, the genome is not resizable.

Use the resizeBehaviour and resize member functions to control the size of the genome. The default behavior is fixed size. Using the resizeBehaviour method you can specify minimum and maximum values for the size of the genome. If you specify minimum and maximum as the same values then fixed size is assumed. If you use the resize method to specify a size that is outside the bounds set earlier using resizeBehaviour, the bounds will be 'stretched' to accommodate the value you specify with resize. Conversely, if the values you specify with resizeBehaviour conflict with the genome's current size, the genome will be resized to accommodate the new values.

When resizeBehaviour is called with no arguments, it returns the maximum size if the genome is resizable, or GAGenome::FIXED_SIZE if the size is fixed.

set

unset

Set/Unset the bits in the specified range. If you specify a range that is not represented by the genome, the range that you specified will be clipped to fit the genome.

GA1DBinaryStringGenome::UniformInitializer
GA1DBinaryStringGenome::SetInitializer
GA1DBinaryStringGenome::UnsetInitializer
GA1DBinaryStringGenome::FlipMutator
GA1DBinaryStringGenome::BitComparator
GA1DBinaryStringGenome::UniformCrossover
GA1DBinaryStringGenome::EvenOddCrossover
GA1DBinaryStringGenome::OnePointCrossover
GA1DBinaryStringGenome::TwoPointCrossover

initialization:  GA1DBinaryStringGenome::UniformInitializer
    comparison:  GA1DBinaryStringGenome::BitComparator
      mutation:  GA1DBinaryStringGenome::FlipMutator
     crossover:  GA1DBinaryStringGenome::OnePointCrossover

The binary string genome is derived from the GABinaryString and GAGenome classes. It is a matrix of 1s and 0s whose width and height may be fixed or variable.

The genes in this genomes are bits. The alleles for each bit are 0 and 1.

see also: GABinaryString
see also: GAGenome

class GA2DBinaryStringGenome : public GABinaryString, public GAGenome

GA2DBinaryStringGenome(unsigned int x, unsigned int y,
                       GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                       void * userData = NULL)
GA2DBinaryStringGenome(const GA2DBinaryStringGenome &)

short gene(unsigned int x, unsigned int y) const
short gene(unsigned int x, unsigned int y, const short value)
  int width() const
  int width(int w)
  int height() const
  int height(int h)
  int resize(int x, int y)
  int resizeBehaviour(GADimension which) const 
  int resizeBehaviour(GADimension which,
                      unsigned int min, unsigned int max)
  int resizeBehaviour(unsigned int minx, unsigned int maxx, 
                      unsigned int miny, unsigned int maxy)
 void copy(const GA2DBinaryStringGenome &, 
           unsigned int xdest, unsigned int ydest,
           unsigned int xsrc, unsigned int ysrc, 
           unsigned int width, unsigned int height)
 void set(unsigned int, unsigned int, unsigned int, unsigned int)
 void unset(unsigned int, unsigned int, unsigned int, unsigned int)

copy

Copy the specified bits from the designated genome. If you specify a range that is not represented by the genome, the range that you specified will be clipped to fit the genome.

gene

Set/Get the specified bit.

height

Set/Get the height of the bit string.

resize

Set the size of the genome to the specified dimensions.

resizeBehaviour

Set/Get the resize behavior. The min value specifies the minimum allowable length, the max value specifies the maximum allowable length. If min and max are equal, the genome is not resizable.

Use the resizeBehaviour and resize member functions to control the size of the genome. The default behavior is fixed size. Using the resizeBehaviour method you can specify minimum and maximum values for the size of the genome. If you specify minimum and maximum as the same values then fixed size is assumed. If you use the resize method to specify a size that is outside the bounds set earlier using resizeBehaviour, the bounds will be 'stretched' to accommodate the value you specify with resize. Conversely, if the values you specify with resizeBehaviour conflict with the genome's current size, the genome will be resized to accommodate the new values.

When resizeBehaviour is called with no arguments, it returns the maximum size if the genome is resizable, or GAGenome::FIXED_SIZE if the size is fixed.

set

unset

Set/Unset the bits in the specified range. If you specify a range that is not represented by the genome, the range that you specified will be clipped to fit the genome.

width

Set/Get the width of the bit string.

GA2DBinaryStringGenome::UniformInitializer
GA2DBinaryStringGenome::SetInitializer
GA2DBinaryStringGenome::UnsetInitializer
GA2DBinaryStringGenome::FlipMutator
GA2DBinaryStringGenome::BitComparator
GA2DBinaryStringGenome::UniformCrossover
GA2DBinaryStringGenome::EvenOddCrossover
GA2DBinaryStringGenome::OnePointCrossover

initialization:  GA2DBinaryStringGenome::UniformInitializer
    comparison:  GA2DBinaryStringGenome::BitComparator
      mutation:  GA2DBinaryStringGenome::FlipMutator
     crossover:  GA2DBinaryStringGenome::OnePointCrossover

The binary string genome is derived from the GABinaryString and GAGenome classes. It is a three-dimensional block of 1s and 0s whose width, height, and depth can be fixed or variable.

The genes in this genomes are bits. The alleles for each bit are 0 and 1.

see also: GABinaryString
see also: GAGenome

class GA3DBinaryStringGenome : public GABinaryString, public GAGenome

GA3DBinaryStringGenome(unsigned int x, unsigned int y, unsigned int z,
                       GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                       void * userData = NULL)
GA3DBinaryStringGenome(const GA3DBinaryStringGenome&)

short gene(unsigned int x, unsigned int y, unsigned int z) const
short gene(unsigned int x, unsigned int y, unsigned int z, short value)
  int width() const
  int width(int w)
  int height() const
  int height(int h)
  int depth() const
  int depth(int d)
  int resize(int x, int y, int z)
  int resizeBehaviour(GADimension which) const
  int resizeBehaviour(GADimension which,
                      unsigned int min, unsigned int max)
  int resizeBehaviour(unsigned int minx, unsigned int maxx, 
                      unsigned int miny, unsigned int maxy, 
                      unsigned int minz, unsigned int maxz)
 void copy(const GA3DBinaryStringGenome &, 
           unsigned int xdest, unsigned int ydest, unsigned int zdest,
           unsigned int xsrc, unsigned int ysrc, unsigned int zsrc,
           unsigned int width, unsigned int height, unsigned int depth);
 void set(unsigned int, unsigned int,
	  unsigned int, unsigned int,
	  unsigned int, unsigned int);
 void unset(unsigned int, unsigned int,
	    unsigned int, unsigned int,
	    unsigned int, unsigned int);

copy

Copy the specified bits from the designated genome. If you specify a range that is not represented by the genome, the range that you specified will be clipped to fit the genome.

depth

Set/Get the depth of the bit string.

gene

Set/Get the specified bit.

height

Set/Get the height of the bit string.

resize

Set the size of the genome to the specified dimensions.

resizeBehaviour

Set/Get the resize behavior. The min value specifies the minimum allowable length, the max value specifies the maximum allowable length. If min and max are equal, the genome is not resizable.

Use the resizeBehaviour and resize member functions to control the size of the genome. The default behavior is fixed size. Using the resizeBehaviour method you can specify minimum and maximum values for the size of the genome. If you specify minimum and maximum as the same values then fixed size is assumed. If you use the resize method to specify a size that is outside the bounds set earlier using resizeBehaviour, the bounds will be 'stretched' to accommodate the value you specify with resize. Conversely, if the values you specify with resizeBehaviour conflict with the genome's current size, the genome will be resized to accommodate the new values.

When resizeBehaviour is called with no arguments, it returns the maximum size if the genome is resizable, or GAGenome::FIXED_SIZE if the size is fixed.

set

unset

Set/Unset the bits in the specified range. If you specify a range that is not represented by the genome, the range that you specified will be clipped to fit the genome.

width

Set/Get the width of the bit string.

GA3DBinaryStringGenome::UniformInitializer
GA3DBinaryStringGenome::SetInitializer
GA3DBinaryStringGenome::UnsetInitializer
GA3DBinaryStringGenome::FlipMutator
GA3DBinaryStringGenome::BitComparator
GA3DBinaryStringGenome::UniformCrossover
GA3DBinaryStringGenome::EvenOddCrossover
GA3DBinaryStringGenome::OnePointCrossover

initialization:  GA3DBinaryStringGenome::UniformInitializer
    comparison:  GA3DBinaryStringGenome::BitComparator
      mutation:  GA3DBinaryStringGenome::FlipMutator
     crossover:  GA3DBinaryStringGenome::OnePointCrossover

The 1D array genome is a generic, resizable array of objects. It is a template class derived from the GAGenome class as well as the GAArray<> class.

Each element in the array is a gene. The values of the genes are determines by the type of the genome. For example, an array of ints may have integer values whereas an array of doubles may have floating point values.

see also: GAArray
see also: GAGenome

class GA1DArrayGenome<T> : public GAArray<T>, public GAGenome

GA1DArrayGenome(unsigned int length,
                GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                void * userData = NULL)
GA1DArrayGenome(const GA1DArrayGenome<T> &)

const T & gene(unsigned int x=0) const
      T & gene(unsigned int x=0)
      T & gene(unsigned int x, const T& value)
const T & operator[](unsigned int x) const
      T & operator[](unsigned int x)
      int length() const
      int length(int l)
      int resize(int x)
      int resizeBehaviour() const
      int resizeBehaviour(unsigned int minx, unsigned int maxx)
     void copy(const GA1DArrayGenome<T>& original,
                unsigned int dest, unsigned int src, unsigned int length)
     void swap(unsigned int x1, unsigned int x2)

copy

Copy the specified bits from the designated genome.

gene

Set/Get the specified element.

length

Set/Get the length.

resize

Set the length.

resizeBehaviour

Set/Get the resize behavior. The min value specifies the minimum allowable length, the max value specifies the maximum allowable length. If min and max are equal, the genome is not resizable.

Use the resizeBehaviour and resize member functions to control the size of the genome. The default behavior is fixed size. Using the resizeBehaviour method you can specify minimum and maximum values for the size of the genome. If you specify minimum and maximum as the same values then fixed size is assumed. If you use the resize method to specify a size that is outside the bounds set earlier using resizeBehaviour, the bounds will be 'stretched' to accommodate the value you specify with resize. Conversely, if the values you specify with resizeBehaviour conflict with the genome's current size, the genome will be resized to accommodate the new values.

When resizeBehaviour is called with no arguments, it returns the maximum size if the genome is resizable, or GAGenome::FIXED_SIZE if the size is fixed.

swap

Swap the specified elements.

GA1DArrayGenome<>::SwapMutator
GA1DArrayGenome<>::ElementComparator
GA1DArrayGenome<>::UniformCrossover
GA1DArrayGenome<>::EvenOddCrossover
GA1DArrayGenome<>::OnePointCrossover
GA1DArrayGenome<>::TwoPointCrossover
GA1DArrayGenome<>::PartialMatchCrossover
GA1DArrayGenome<>::OrderCrossover
GA1DArrayGenome<>::CycleCrossover

initialization:  GAGenome::NoInitializer
    comparison:  GA1DArrayGenome<>::ElementComparator
      mutation:  GA1DArrayGenome<>::SwapMutator
     crossover:  GA1DArrayGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

The one-dimensional array allele genome is derived from the one-dimensional array genome class. It shares the same behaviors, but adds the features of allele sets. The value assumed by each element in an array allele genome depends upon the allele set specified for that element. In the simplest case, you can create a single allele set which defines the possible values for any element in the array. More complicated examples can have a different allele set for each element in the array.

If you create the genome with a single allele set, the genome will have a length that you specify and the allele set will be used for the mapping of each element. If you create the genome using an array of allele sets, the genome will have a length equal to the number of allele sets in the array and each element of the array will be mapped using the corresponding allele set.

When you define an allele set for an array genome, the genome makes its own copy. Subsequent clones of this genome will refer to the original genome's allele set (allele sets do reference counting).

see also: GAArray
see also: GA1DArrayGenome
see also: GAAlleleSet
see also: GAAlleleSetArray

class GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<T> : public GAArrayGenome<T>

GA1DArrayAlleleGenome(unsigned int length,
                      const GAAlleleSet<T>& alleleset,
                      GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                      void * userData = NULL)
GA1DArrayAlleleGenome(const GAAlleleSetArray<T>& allelesets,
                      GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                      void * userData = NULL)
GA1DArrayAlleleGenome(const GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<T>&)

const GAAlleleSet<T>& alleleset(unsigned int i = 0) const

alleleset

Returns a reference to the allele set for the specified gene. If the genome was created using a single allele set, the allele set will be the same for every gene. If the genome was created using an allele set array, each gene may have a different allele set.

GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<>::UniformInitializer
GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<>::OrderedInitializer
GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<>::FlipMutator

initialization:  GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<>::UniformInitializer
    comparison:  GA1DArrayGenome<>::ElementComparator
      mutation:  GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<>::FlipMutator
     crossover:  GA1DArrayGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

The two-dimensional array genome is a generic, resizable array of objects. It is a template class derived from the GAGenome class as well as the GAArray<> class.

Each element in the array is a gene. The values of the genes are determines by the type of the genome. For example, an array of ints may have integer values whereas an array of doubles may have floating point values.

see also: GAArray
see also: GAGenome

class GA2DArrayGenome<T> : public GAArray<T>, public GAGenome

GA2DArrayGenome(unsigned int width, unsigned int height,
                GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                void * userData = NULL)
GA2DArrayGenome(const GA2DArrayGenome<T> &)

const T & gene(unsigned int x, unsigned int y) const
      T & gene(unsigned int x, unsigned int y)
      T & gene(unsigned int x, unsigned int y, const T& value)
      int width() const
      int width(int w)
      int height() const
      int height(int h)
      int resize(int x, int y)
      int resizeBehaviour(GADimension which) const
      int resizeBehaviour(GADimension which, 
                            unsigned int min, unsigned int max)
      int resizeBehaviour(unsigned int minx, unsigned int maxx, 
                            unsigned int miny, unsigned int maxy)
     void copy(const GA2DArrayGenome<T>& original,
                unsigned int xdest, unsigned int ydest,
                unsigned int xsrc, unsigned int ysrc,
                unsigned int width, unsigned int height)
     void swap(unsigned int x1, unsigned int y1,
                unsigned int x2, unsigned int y2)

copy

Copy the specified bits from the designated genome.

gene

Set/Get the specified element.

height

Set/Get the height.

resize

Change the size to the specified dimensions.

resizeBehaviour

Set/Get the resize behavior. The min value specifies the minimum allowable length, the max value specifies the maximum allowable length. If min and max are equal, the genome is not resizable.

Use the resizeBehaviour and resize member functions to control the size of the genome. The default behavior is fixed size. Using the resizeBehaviour method you can specify minimum and maximum values for the size of the genome. If you specify minimum and maximum as the same values then fixed size is assumed. If you use the resize method to specify a size that is outside the bounds set earlier using resizeBehaviour, the bounds will be 'stretched' to accommodate the value you specify with resize. Conversely, if the values you specify with resizeBehaviour conflict with the genome's current size, the genome will be resized to accommodate the new values.

When resizeBehaviour is called with no arguments, it returns the maximum size if the genome is resizable, or GAGenome::FIXED_SIZE if the size is fixed.

The resizeBehaviour function works similarly to that of the 1D array genome. In this case, however, you must also specify for which dimension you are setting the resize behavior. When resizeBehaviour is called with no arguments, it returns the maximum size if the genome is resizable, or gaNoResize if the size is fixed.

swap

Swap the specified elements.

width

Set/Get the width.

GA2DArrayGenome<>::SwapMutator
GA2DArrayGenome<>::ElementComparator
GA2DArrayGenome<>::UniformCrossover
GA2DArrayGenome<>::EvenOddCrossover
GA2DArrayGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

initialization:  GAGenome::NoInitializer
    comparison:  GA2DArrayGenome<>::ElementComparator
      mutation:  GA2DArrayGenome<>::SwapMutator
     crossover:  GA2DArrayGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

The two-dimensional array allele genome is derived from the two-dimensional array genome class. It shares the same behaviors, but adds the features of allele sets. The value assumed by each element in an array allele genome depends upon the allele set specified for that element. In the simplest case, you can create a single allele set which defines the possible values for any element in the array. More complicated examples can have a different allele set for each element in the array.

The genome will have width and height that you specify and the allele set will be used for the mapping of each element. When you define an allele set for an array genome, the genome makes its own copy. Subsequent clones of this genome will refer to the original genome's allele set (allele sets do reference counting).

If you create a genome using an allele set array, the array of alleles will be mapped to the two dimensions in the order width-then-height.

see also: GAArray
see also: GA2DArrayGenome
see also: GAAlleleSet
see also: GAAlleleSetArray

class GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<T> : public GAArrayGenome<T>

GA2DArrayAlleleGenome(unsigned int width, unsigned int height,
                      GAAlleleSet<T>& alleles,
                      GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                      void * userData = NULL)
GA2DArrayAlleleGenome(unsigned int width, unsigned int height,
                      GAAlleleSetArray<T>& allelesets,
                      GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                      void * userData = NULL)
GA2DArrayAlleleGenome(const GA2DArrayAlleleGenome<T> &)

const GAAlleleSet<T>& alleleset(unsigned int i = 0, unsigned int j = 0) const

alleleset

Returns a reference to the allele set for the specified gene. If the genome was created using a single allele set, the allele set will be the same for every gene. If the genome was created using an allele set array, each gene may have a different allele set.

GA2DArrayAlleleGenome<>::UniformInitializer
GA2DArrayAlleleGenome<>::FlipMutator

initialization:  GA2DArrayAlleleGenome<>::UniformInitializer
    comparison:  GA2DArrayGenome<>::ElementComparator
      mutation:  GA2DArrayAlleleGenome<>::FlipMutator
     crossover:  GA2DArrayGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

The three-dimensional array genome is a generic, resizable array of objects. It is a template class derived from the GAGenome class as well as the GAArray<> class.

Each element in the array is a gene. The values of the genes are determines by the type of the genome. For example, an array of ints may have integer values whereas an array of doubles may have floating point values.

see also: GAArray
see also: GAGenome

class GA3DArrayGenome<T> : public GAArray<T>, public GAGenome

GA3DArrayGenome(unsigned int width, unsigned int height, unsigned int depth,
                GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                void * userData = NULL)
GA3DArrayGenome(const GA3DArrayGenome<T>&)

const T & gene(unsigned int x, unsigned int y, unsigned int z) const
      T & gene(unsigned int x, unsigned int y, unsigned int z)
      T & gene(unsigned int x, unsigned int y, unsigned int z, const T& value)
      int width() const
      int width(int w)
      int height() const
      int height(int h)
      int depth() const
      int depth(int d)
      int resize(int x, int y, int z)
      int resizeBehaviour(GADimension which) const
      int resizeBehaviour(GADimension which,
                            unsigned int min, unsigned int max)
      int resizeBehaviour(unsigned int minx, unsigned int maxx, 
                            unsigned int miny, unsigned int maxy,
                            unsigned int minz, unsigned int maxz)
     void copy(const GA3DArrayGenome<T>& original,
                unsigned int xdest, unsigned int ydest, unsigned int zdest,
                unsigned int xsrc, unsigned int ysrc, unsigned int zsrc,
                unsigned int width, unsigned int height, unsigned int depth)
     void swap(unsigned int x1, unsigned int y1, unsigned int z1,
                unsigned int x2, unsigned int y2, unsigned int z2)

copy

Copy the specified bits from the designated genome.

depth

Set/Get the depth.

gene

Set/Get the specified element.

height

Set/Get the height.

resize

Change the size to the specified dimensions.

resizeBehaviour

Set/Get the resize behavior. The min value specifies the minimum allowable length, the max value specifies the maximum allowable length. If min and max are equal, the genome is not resizable.

Use the resizeBehaviour and resize member functions to control the size of the genome. The default behavior is fixed size. Using the resizeBehaviour method you can specify minimum and maximum values for the size of the genome. If you specify minimum and maximum as the same values then fixed size is assumed. If you use the resize method to specify a size that is outside the bounds set earlier using resizeBehaviour, the bounds will be 'stretched' to accommodate the value you specify with resize. Conversely, if the values you specify with resizeBehaviour conflict with the genome's current size, the genome will be resized to accommodate the new values.

When resizeBehaviour is called with no arguments, it returns the maximum size if the genome is resizable, or GAGenome::FIXED_SIZE if the size is fixed.

The resizeBehaviour function works similarly to that of the 1D array genome. In this case, however, you must also specify for which dimension you are setting the resize behavior. When resizeBehaviour is called with no arguments, it returns the maximum size if the genome is resizable, or gaNoResize if the size is fixed.

swap

Swap the specified elements.

width

Set/Get the width.

GA3DArrayGenome<>::SwapMutator
GA3DArrayGenome<>::ElementComparator
GA3DArrayGenome<>::UniformCrossover
GA3DArrayGenome<>::EvenOddCrossover
GA3DArrayGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

initialization:  GAGenome::NoInitializer
    comparison:  GA3DArrayGenome<>::ElementComparator
      mutation:  GA3DArrayGenome<>::SwapMutator
     crossover:  GA3DArrayGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

The three-dimensional array allele genome is derived from the three-dimensional array genome class. It shares the same behaviors, but adds the features of allele sets. The value assumed by each element in an array allele genome depends upon the allele set specified for that element. In the simplest case, you can create a single allele set which defines the possible values for any element in the array. More complicated examples can have a different allele set for each element in the array.

The genome will have width, height, and depth that you specify and the allele set will be used for the mapping of each element. When you define an allele set for an array genome, the genome makes its own copy. Subsequent clones of this genome will refer to the original genome's allele set (allele sets do reference counting).

If you create a genome using an allele set array, the array of alleles will be mapped to the three dimensions in the order width-then-height-then-depth.

see also: GAArray
see also: GA3DArrayGenome
see also: GAAlleleSet
see also: GAAlleleSetArray

class GA1DArrayAlleleGenome<T> : public GAArrayGenome<T>

GA3DArrayAlleleGenome(unsigned int width, unsigned int height, unsigned int depth,
                      GAAlleleSet<T>& alleles,
                      GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                      void * userData = NULL)
GA3DArrayAlleleGenome(unsigned int width, unsigned int height, unsigned int depth,
                      GAAlleleSet<T>& alleles,
                      GAGenome::Evaluator objective = NULL,
                      void * userData = NULL)
GA3DArrayAlleleGenome(const GA3DArrayAlleleGenome<T> &)

const GAAlleleSet<T>& alleleset(unsigned int i = 0,
                                 unsigned int j = 0,
                                 unsigned int k = 0) const

alleleset

Returns a reference to the allele set for the specified gene. If the genome was created using a single allele set, the allele set will be the same for every gene. If the genome was created using an allele set array, each gene may have a different allele set.

GA3DArrayAlleleGenome<>::UniformInitializer
GA3DArrayAlleleGenome<>::FlipMutator

initialization:  GA3DArrayAlleleGenome<>::UniformInitializer
    comparison:  GA3DArrayGenome<>::ElementComparator
      mutation:  GA3DArrayAlleleGenome<>::FlipMutator
     crossover:  GA3DArrayGenome<>::OnePointCrossover

The binary-to-decimal phenotype defines the mapping from binary string to decimal values. A mapping for a single binary-to-decimal conversion consists of a range of decimal values and a number of bits. For example, a map of 8 bits and range of [0,255] would use 8 bits to represent the numbers from 0 to 255, inclusive.

This object does reference counting in order to minimize the memory overhead imposed by instantiating binary-to-decimal mappings.

GABin2DecPhenotype()
GABin2DecPhenotype(const GABin2DecPhenotype&)

 void add(unsigned int nbits, float min, float max)
 void remove(unsigned int which)
  int size() const
  int nPhenotypes() const
float min(unsigned int which) const
float max(unsigned int which) const
  int length(unsigned int which) const
  int offset(unsigned int which) const

 void link(GABin2DecPhenotype&)
 void unlink()

add

Create a mapping that tells the phenotype that nbits should be used to represent a floating point number from min to max, inclusive.

link

unlink

The phenotype object does reference counting to reduce the number of instantiated objects. Use the link member to make a phenotype object refer to another. Use the unlink member to remove the connection. When you unlink, the phenotype makes its own copy of the mapping information.

length

Returns the number of bits required for the specified mapping.

max

Returns the maximum decimal value for the specified mapping.

min

Returns the minimum decimal value for the specified mapping.

offset

Returns the offset (in bits) for the specified mapping.

remove

Removes a single binary-to-decimal from the phenotype.

size

Returns the number of bits that the set of mappings requires for converting a decimal value to binary and back again.

The allele set class is a container for the different values that a gene may assume. It can contain objects of any type as long as the object has the =, ==, and != operators defined.

Allele sets may be enumerated, bounded, or bounded with discretization. For example, an integer allele set may be defined as {1,3,5,2,99,-53} (an enumerated set). A bounded float set may be defined such as [2,743) (the set of numbers from 2, inclusive, to 743, exclusive). A bounded, discretized set may defined such as [4.5,7.05](0.05) (the set of numbers from 4.5 to 7.5, inclusive, with increment of 0.05).

If you call the allele member function with no argument, the allele set picks randomly from the alleles it contains and returns one of them.

GAAlleleSet()
GAAlleleSet(unsigned int n, const T a[])
GAAlleleSet(const T& lower, const T& upper, 
	    GAAllele::BoundType lowerbound=GAAllele::INCLUSIVE, 
	    GAAllele::BoundType upperbound=GAAllele::INCLUSIVE)
GAAlleleSet(const T& lower, const T& upper, const T& increment,
	    GAAllele::BoundType lowerbound=GAAllele::INCLUSIVE, 
	    GAAllele::BoundType upperbound=GAAllele::INCLUSIVE)
GAAlleleSet(const GAAlleleSet<T>& set)

   GAAlleleSet<T> * clone() const

                  T add(const T& allele)
                  T remove(T& allele)
                  T allele() const
                  T allele(unsigned int i)
                int size() const

                  T lower() const
                  T upper() const
                  T inc() const
GAAllele::BoundType lowerBoundType() const
GAAllele::BoundType upperBoundType() const
     GAAllele::Type type() const

               void link(GAAlleleSet<T>&)
               void unlink()

add

remove

Add/Remove the indicated allele from the set. This method works only for enumerated allele sets. Both functions return zero if the operation was successful, non-zero status otherwise.

lower

upper

Returns the lower/upper bounds on the allele set. If the allele set is enumerated, lower returns the first element of the set and upper returns the last element of the set.

inc

Returns the increment of the allele set. If the set is not discretized, the first element or lower bounds of the set is returned.

lowerBoundType

upperBoundType

Returns GAAllele::INCLUSIVE or GAAllele::EXCLUSIVE to indicate the type of bound on the limits of the allele set. If no bounds have been defined, these method return GAAllele::NONE.

link

unlink

The alleleset object does reference counting to reduce the number of instantiated objects. Use the link member to make an alleleset object refer to the data in another. Use the unlink member to remove the connection. When you unlink, the alleleset makes its own copy of the set data.

size

Returns the number of elements in the allele set. This member is meaningful only for the enumerated allele set.

type

Returns GAAllele::ENUMERATED, GAAllele::BOUNDED, or GAAllele::DISCRETIZED to indicate the type of allele set that has been defined. The type of the allele set is specified by the creator used to instantiate the allele set.

The GAAlleleSetArray is a container object with an array of allele sets.

GAAlleleSetArray()
GAAlleleSetArray(const GAAlleleSet<T>&)
GAAlleleSetArray(const GAAlleleSetArray<T>&)

                  int size() const
const GAAlleleSet<T>& set(unsigned int i) const
                  int add(const GAAlleleSet<T>& s)
                  int add(unsigned int n, const T a[])
                  int add(const T& lower, const T& upper,
	                  GAAllele::BoundType lb=GAAllele::INCLUSIVE,
	                  GAAllele::BoundType ub=GAAllele::INCLUSIVE)
                  int add(const T& lower, const T& upper, const T& increment,
	                  GAAllele::BoundType lb=GAAllele::INCLUSIVE, 
	                  GAAllele::BoundType ub=GAAllele::INCLUSIVE)
                  int remove(unsigned int)

add

Use the add members to append an allele set to the end of the array. Each of the overloaded add members invokes a corresponding allele set creator, so you can use the appropriate add member for your particular allele set application.

remove

Remove the indicated allele set from the array. Returns zero if successful, non-zero otherwise.

size

Returns the number of allele sets in the array.

The statistics object contains information about the current state of the genetic algorithm objects. Every genetic algorithm contains a statistics object.

The statistics object defines the following enumerated constants for use by the selectScores member. They can be bitwise-ORed to specify desired combinations of components. Use the class name to refer to the values, for example GAStatistics::Mean | GAStatistics::Deviation

enum { NoScores,
       Mean, Maximum, Minimum, Deviation,
       Diversity,
       AllScores }

GAStatistics()
GAStatistics(const GAStatistics&)

     void copy(const GAStatistics &);

    float online() const
    float offlineMax() const
    float offlineMin() const
    float initial(ScoreID w=Maximum) const
    float current(ScoreID w=Maximum) const
    float maxEver() const
    float minEver() const

      int generation() const
    float convergence() const
      int selections() const
      int crossovers() const
      int mutations() const
      int replacements() const

      int nConvergence(unsigned int)
      int nConvergence() const
      int nBestGenomes(const GAGenome&, unsigned int)
      int nBestGenomes() const
      int scoreFrequency(unsigned int x)
      int scoreFrequency() const
      int flushFrequency(unsigned int x)
      int flushFrequency() const
    char* scoreFilename(const char *filename)
    char* scoreFilename() const
      int selectScores(int whichScores)
      int selectScores() const
GABoolean recordDiversity(GABoolean flag)
GABoolean recordDiversity() const
     void flushScores()

     void update(const GAPopulation& pop)
     void reset(const GAPopulation& pop)

const GAPopulation& bestPopulation() const 
    const GAGenome& bestIndividual(unsigned int n=0) const

      int scores(const char* filename, ScoreID which=NoScores)
      int scores(ostream& os, ScoreID which=NoScores)
      int write(const char* filename) const
      int write(ostream& os) const;

friend ostream& operator<<(ostream&, const GAStatistics&)

bestIndividual

This function returns a reference to the best individual encountered by the genetic algorithm.

bestPopulation

This function returns a reference to a population containing the best individuals encountered by the genetic algorithm. The size of this population is specified using the nBestGenomes member function.

convergence

Returns the current convergence. Here convergence means the ratio of the nth previous best-of-generation to the current best-of-generation.

crossovers

Returns the number of crossovers that have occurred since initialization.

current

Returns the specified score from the current population.

flushFrequency

Set/Get the frequency at which the generational scores should be flushed to disk. A score frequency of 100 means that at every 100th recorded score the scores buffer will be appended to the scores file.

flushScores

Force a flush of the scores buffer to the score file.

generation

Returns the current generation number.

initial

Returns the specified score from the initial population.

maxEver

Returns the maximum score ever encountered.

minEver

Returns the minimum score ever encountered.

mutations

Returns the number of mutations that have occurred since initialization.

nBestGenomes

Set/Get the number of unique best genomes to keep.

nConvergence

Set/Get the number of generations to use for the convergence measure. A value of 10 means the best-of-generation from 10 generations previous will be used for the convergence test.

offlineMax

Returns the average of the maximum scores.

offlineMin

Returns the average of the minimum scores.

online

Returns the average of all scores.

recordDiversity

This boolean option determines whether or not the diversity of the population will be calculated each generation. By default, this option is set to false.

replacements

Returns the number of replacements that have occurred since initialization.

reset

Reset the contents of the statistics object using the contents of the specified population.

scoreFilename

Set the name of the file to which the scores should be output. If the filename is set to nil, the scores will not be written to disk. The default filename is "generations.dat".

scoreFrequency

Set/Get the frequency at which the generational scores should be recorded. A score frequency of 1 means the scores will be recorded each generation. The default depends on the type of genetic algorithm that is being used.

scores

Print the generational scores to the specified stream. Output is tab-delimited with each line containing the generation number and the specified scores. You can specify which score you would like by logically ORing one of the score identifiers listed above. The order of the tab-delimited scores is as follows:

generation  TAB  mean  TAB  max  TAB  min  TAB deviation  TAB  diversity NEWLINE

selections

Returns the number of selections that have occurred since initialization.

selectScores

This function is used to specify which scores should be saved to disk. The argument is the logical OR of the following values: Mean, Maximum, Minimum, Deviation, Diversity (all defined in the scope of the GAStatistics object). To record all of the scores, pass GAStatistics::AllScores.

update

Update the contents of the statistics object to reflect the state of the specified population.

The parameter list object contains information about how genetic algorithms should behave. Each parameter list contains an array of parameters. Each parameter is a name-value pair, where the name is a string (e.g. "number_of_generations") and the value is an int, float, double, char, string, boolean, or pointer.

Each parameter is uniquely identified by a pair of names: the full name and the short name. Associated with the names is a value. Each parameter also has a type from the enumerated list of types shown above. The GAParameter object automatically does type coercion of the pointer that is passed to it based upon the type that is passed to it upon its creation. The type cannot be changed once the parameter has been created.

  enum GAParameter::Type {BOOLEAN, CHAR, STRING, INT, FLOAT, DOUBLE, POINTER};

GAParameter(const char* fn, const char* sn, Type tp, const void* v)
GAParameter(const GAParameter& orig)

          void copy(const GAParameter&)
         char* fullname() const
         char* shrtname() const
   const void* value() const 
   const void* value(const void* v) 
          Type type() const

GAParameterList()
GAParameterList(const GAParameterList&)

         int size() const
         int get(const char*, void*) const
         int set(const char*, const void*)
         int set(const char* s, int v)
         int set(const char* s, unsigned int v)
         int set(const char* s, char v)
         int set(const char* s, char* v)
         int set(const char* s, double v)
         int add(const char*, const char*, GAParameter::Type, const void*)
         int remove();
GAParameter& operator[](unsigned int i) const
GAParameter& next()
GAParameter& prev()
GAParameter& current() const
GAParameter& first()
GAParameter& last()
GAParameter* operator()(const char* name)
         int parse(int& argc, char **argv, GABoolean flag = gaFalse)

         int write(const char* filename) const
         int write(ostream& os) const
         int read(const char* filename)
         int read(istream& is)

friend ostream& operator<<(ostream& os, const GAParameterList& plist)
friend istream& operator>>(istream& is, GAParameterList& plist)

add

Add a parameter with specified name, type, and default value to the parameter list. This becomes the current parameter.

current

Return a reference to the current parameter in the list.

first

Return a reference to the first parameter in the list. This becomes the current parameter.

get

Fills the contents of the space pointed to by ptr with the current value of the named parameter. Returns 0 if the parameter was found, non-zero otherwise.

last

Return a reference to the last parameter in the list. This becomes the current parameter.

next

Return a reference to the next parameter in the list. This becomes the current parameter.

parse

Parse an argument list (in command-line format) for recognized name-value pairs. If you pass gaTrue as the third argument then this method will post warnings about names that it does not recognize.

prev

Return a reference to the next parameter in the list. This becomes the current parameter.

read

Read a parameter list from the specified file or stream.

set

Set the named parameter to the specified value. Returns 0 if the paramter was found and successfully set, non-zero otherwise. You can use either the full or short name to specify a parameter.

size

Returns the number of parameters in the parameter list.

remove

Remove the current parameter from the parameter list.

write

Write the parameter list to the specified file or stream.

The population object is a container for the genomes. It also contains population statistics such as average, maximum, and minimum genome objective scores. Each population contains a scaling object that is used to determine the fitness of its genomes. The population also contains a function used for selecting individuals from the population.

Whenever possible, the population caches the statistics. This means that the first call to one of the statistics members will be slower than subsequen