A Versatile Genetic Algorithm System in Ada: Implementation and Applications

Max Edwards

me-b@[DELETED]

Supervisor: Professor Alan Burns

M.Eng. Project Report

Department of Computer Science

University of York

This report submitted for assessment 06456, Thursday March 16th 1995

Abstract

This report is concerned with the type of optimisation techniques generally known as "genetic algorithms", which simulate the natural evolution process in order to breed solutions to an optimisation problem. A study (Edwards 1994) has identified the need for a system of reusable software components for genetic algorithm research, and one is presented here using the Ada programming language. The system is called VAGAS, Versatile Ada Genetic Algorithm Software.

This report describes the theory and motivations behind the system, the development process, and the resulting design. The report also contains details of the experiments that were carried out using the system, and their results, along with suggestions for further research that may be performed with the software.