the abyss means...

Today I am mostly:

1) Reading about embodiment.
2) Trying to remember how GA's work. I need a short programming project to sink my teeth into. Any fun-but-simple GA suggestions anyone?
3) Trying not to disturb people with my need to bang on my beautiful drum (that I was given by my big brother two days ago!)

It is a nice day!

TrackBack URL for this entry: http://bluejoh.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/650

Is it feasable to use a GA to provide the best possible solution to the Countdown numbers game...?

pete on March 24, 2003 01:29 PM

It is certainly possible. I'm not convinced that it would be more effective than a standard algorithm though...

joh on March 24, 2003 01:42 PM

How about a simple travelling salesman problem?

hecticjames on March 24, 2003 02:00 PM

To be honest, I think you're right. I've been meaning to sort out a simple program to do this for ages, but couldn't be bothered. I was hoping that you could get this out of the way for me ;-)

I guess that the classic one would be the travelling salesman problem, which probably wouldn't be too hard to write.

pete on March 24, 2003 02:00 PM

James - I think we may have hit the "post" button within seconds of each other. Great minds think alike.

pete on March 24, 2003 02:02 PM

But the travelling saleman is dull! I want something simple and fun!

joh on March 24, 2003 02:06 PM

Hmm, evolving words?

joh on March 24, 2003 02:07 PM

How about evolving stable systems? *grin*

Matt on March 24, 2003 02:28 PM

Evolving words (or sentences) sounds fun, provided you've got a way to measure their fitness - I suppose you could do it as a web script, and invite passers by to rate the fitness of the current gene pool... (AmIGeneticallyViableOrNot.com?)

For good, solid fun, though, you can't beat a bit of alife; coloured dots running around a screen according to the nuances of their DNA, with the longest-living ones getting to procreate, ultimately solving the problem of how best to survive in their universe. I tend to sit down and write such things every few years; I'll email you whatever half-coded rubbish I've got lying around.

Kevan on March 24, 2003 02:35 PM

I really want to set up 'AmIGeneticallyViableOrNot.com' now!

joh on March 24, 2003 03:09 PM

What are you going to write it in?

hecticjames on March 24, 2003 04:19 PM

I'm tempted to say notepad, but I suspect you mean 'what language?'.

Hmm.

That depends in part on the project selected. I can program faster using some languages, some others are better for maths or language or graphics, and some are easier if I want to do it as a cgi.

The answer, therefore, is I don't know.

joh on March 24, 2003 04:22 PM