GAME: a framework for programming genetic algorithms applications

The GAME system is a programming environment being developed at University College London as part of the major European project, aimed at promoting and demonstrating the use of genetic algorithms in real world applications. GAME is target at the development and execution of complex sequential, concurrent or parallel applications, based on the genetic algorithm (GA) paradigm. Its object-oriented design and implementation provide the required levels of abstraction to describe and configure applications for a broad range of domains. GAME addresses the basic requirements involved in the design cycle of a GA application; it offers a set of genetic-oriented data structures, objects and straightforward programming interfaces that permit the implementation of a variety of GAs and parallel GAs. The underlying infrastructure provides the mechanisms for problem independent manipulation of data structures, monitoring, and execution on a virtual computing environment supporting multiple parallel computation models. Applications are constructed from parameterised libraries containing algorithms and genetic operators modules. GAME is highly customisable and its libraries can be easily expanded with the inclusion of new parameterised modules. Novice users can rapidly configure and execute pre-defined applications by simply setting up few parameters. Programmers can create new applications by combining pre-defined algorithms and genetic operators, or by directly programming new algorithms using the set of C++ classes provided. A graphic interface and monitoring facilities are also available in GAME