Q20.2: Commercial software packages?
ComputerAnts:
ComputerAnts is a $10 Windows program that teaches principles of
GENETIC ALGORITHMs by breeding a colony of ants on your computer
screen. Users create ants, food, poison, and set CROSSOVER and
MUTATION rates. Then they watch the colony slowly evolve. Includes
extensive on-line help and tutorials on genetic algorithms. For
further information or to order, contact: Axcelis, Inc., 4668 Eastern
Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103-6932, USA Tel: (206) 632-0885.
<72723.3614@compuserve.com>
EnGENEer:
Logica Cambridge Ltd. developed EnGENEer as an in-house GENETIC
ALGORITHM environment to assist the development of GA applications on
a wide range of domains. The software was written in C and runs under
Unix as part of a consultancy and systems package. It supports both
interactive (X-Windows) and batch (command-line) modes of operation.
EnGENEer provides a number of flexible mechanisms which allow the
developer to rapidly bring the power of GAs to bear on new problem
domains. Starting with the Genetic Description Language, the
developer can describe, at high level, the structure of the ``genetic
material'' used. The language supports discrete GENEs with user
defined cardinality and includes features such as multiple
CHROMOSOMEs models, multiple SPECIES models and non-evolvable parsing
symbols which can be used for decoding complex genetic material.
The user also has available a descriptive high level language, the
Evolutionary Model Language. It allows the description of the GA type
used in terms of configurable options including: POPULATION size,
population structure and source, SELECTION method, CROSSOVER and
MUTATION type and probability, INVERSION, dispersal method, and
number of OFFSPRING per GENERATION.
Both the Genetic Description Language and the Evolutionary Model
Language are fully supported within the interactive interface
(including online help system) and can be defined either "on the fly"
or loaded from audit files which are automatically created during a
GA run.
Monitoring of GA progress is provided via both graphical tools and
automatic storage of results (at user defined intervals). This allows
the user to restart EnGENEer from any point in a run, by loading both
the POPULATION at that time and the evolutionary model that was being
used.
Connecting EnGENEer to different problem domains is achieved by
specifying the name of the program used to evaluate the problem
specific FITNESS function and constructing a simple parsing routine
to interpret the genetic material. A library of standard
interpretation routines are also provided for commonly used
representation schemes such as gray-coding, permutations, etc. The
fitness evaluation can then be run as either a slave process to the
GA or via a standard handshaking routines. Better still, it can be
run on either the machine hosting the EnGENEer or on any sequential
or parallel hardware capable of connecting to a Unix machine.
For more information, contact: George Robbins, Systems Intelligence
Division, Logica Cambridge Ltd., Betjeman House, 104 Hills Road,
Cambridge CB2 1LQ, UK. Tel: +44 716 379111, Fax: +44 223 322315
(Unverified 8/94).
EvoFrame:
EvoFrame is to EVOLUTION STRATEGIEs what MicroGA is to GENETIC
ALGORITHMs, a toolkit for application development incorporating ESs
as the OPTIMIZATION engine.
EvoFrame is an object oriented implemented programming tool for
EVOLUTION STRATEGIEs (Rechenberg/Schwefel, Germany) for easy
implementation and solution of numerical and combinatorical problems.
EvoFrame gives you freedom of implementing every byte of the
OPTIMIZATION principle and its user interface. You can focus on the
optimization problem and forget about all the rest.
EvoFrame is available as Version 2.0 in Borland-Pascal 7.0 and Turbo-
Vision for PC's and as Version 1.0 in C++ for Apple Macintosh using
MPW and MacApp. Both implementations allow full typed
implementation, i.e. no more translation from problem specific
format to an OPTIMIZATION specific one. A prototyping tool (cf
REALizer) exists for both platforms too.
EvoFrame allows pseudoparallel OPTIMIZATION of many problems at once
and you can switch optimization parameters and internal methods (i.e.
quality function etc.) during runtime and during optimization cycle.
Both tools can be modified or extended by overloading existing
methods for experimental use. They are developed continously in
correlation to new research results.
The PC version is prepared for experimental use due to a
comprehensive protocolling mechanism of optimzation cycles and user
data. It also allows compilation of executable files with different
complexity by setting conditional compilation flags. It can be used
with 3 levels of stacked POPULATIONs.
The Mac version is the more complex (recursive) implementation. It
allows stacking of any number of POPULATIONs for modelling of complex
systems. Theory stops at multipopulation level at the time. EvoFrame
for Mac is ready for the future, allowing any number of population
levels.
Ask for porting the Mac version (C++) to any other platform, i.e. X
Windows.
REALizer is a tool for rapid prototyping of EvoFrame applications.
It's an override of the corresponding framework which is prepared to
optimize using a vector of real numbers. All methods for standard
EVOLUTION and file handling, etc. are ready implemented. The
remaining work for the user is to define a constant for the problem
size, fill in the quality function and start the OPTIMIZATION
process.
For further information, current prices and orders, contact: Wolfram
Stebel, Optimum Software, Braunfelser Str. 26, 35578 Wetzlar,
Germany. Net: <optimum@applelink.apple.com>
Evolver:
Evolver is a complete GENETIC ALGORITHM package for Windows.
Beginners can use the Excel add-in to model and solve problems from
within Excel. Advanced users can use the included Evolver API to
build custom applications that access any of the six different
genetic algorithms. Evolver can be customized and users can monitor
progress in real-time graphs, or change parameters through the
included EvolverWatcher program. The $349 package comes on two 3.5"
disks, and includes support for Visual Basic. For further information
or to order, contact: Axcelis, Inc., 4668 Eastern Avenue North,
Seattle, WA 98103-6932, USA Tel: (206) 632-0885.
<72723.3614@compuserve.com>
GAME:
GAME (GA Manipulation Environment) aims to demonstrate GA
applications and build a suitable programming ENVIRONMENT.
GAME is being developed as part of the PAPAGENA project of the
European Community's Esprit III initiative.
GAME is available as an addendum to a book on PGAs (cf PAPAGENA,
Q20.3). And from the project's FTP server
bells.cs.ucl.ac.uk:/papagena/ e.g. "papagena/game/docs" contains all
the papers that have been produced over the course of the GAME
project. The sources can also be obtained by FTP see
papagena/game/version2.01/
GAME is now in version 2.01. This version is still able to run only
sequential GAs, but version 3.0 will handle parallel GAs as well.
Unfortunately, The project yet only produced a Borland C++ 3.x
version, so far. It is intended to distribute a version for UNIX/GNU
C++ as well, when some compatibility issues concerning C++
"standards" have been resolved. Afterward a UNIX version will be
released, but this will be only happen after the release of PC
version 3.0.
For more information contact: Jose Luiz Ribeiro Filho, Department of
Computer Science, University College London, Gower Street, London
WC1E 6BT, UK. Net: <zeluiz@cs.ucl.ac.uk> (Unverified 8/94).
MicroGA:
MicroGA is a powerful and flexible new tool which allows programmers
to integrate GAs into their software quickly and easily. It is an
object-oriented C++ framework that comes with full source code and
documentation as well as three sample applications. Also included is
the Galapagos code generator which allows users to create complete
applications interactively without writing any C++ code, and a sample
MacApp interface.
MicroGA is available for Macintosh II or higher with MPW and a C++
compiler, and also in a Microsoft Windows version for PC compatibles.
Compiled applications made with MicroGA can be sold without license
fee. MicroGA is priced at $249.
Galapagos is a tool for use with Emergent Behavior's MicroGA Toolkit.
It allows a user to define a function and set of constraints for a
problem that the user wants to solve using the GA. Galapagos then
generates a complete C++ program using the information supplied. Then
all the user has to do is to compile these files, using either
Turbo/Borland C++ (PC, MS Windows), or MPW and C++ compiler
(Macintosh), and link the resulting code to the MicroGA library. Then
just run the program. Galapagos comes free with every copy of
MicroGA.
For further information and orders, contact: Steve Wilson, Emergent
Behavior, 635 Wellsbury Way, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA. Net:
<emergent@aol.com>
MicroGA is distributed in Germany by Optimum Software (cf EvoFrame &
REALizer entries).
Omega:
The Omega Predictive Modeling System, marketed by KiQ Limited, is a
powerful approach to developing predictive models. It exploits
advanced GA techniques to create a tool which is "flexible, powerful,
informative and straightforward to use". Omega is geared to the
financial domain, with applications in Direct Marketing, Insurance,
Investigations and Credit Management. The ENVIRONMENT offers
facilities for automatic handling of data; business, statistical or
custom measures of PERFORMANCE, simple and complex profit modeling,
validation sample tests, advanced confidence tests, real time
graphics, and optional control over the internal GA.
For further information, contact: KiQ, Business Modeling Systems
Ltd., Easton Hall, Great Easton, Essex CM6 2HD, UK. Tel: +44 371
870254 (Unverified 8/94).
OOGA:
OOGA (Object-Oriented GA) is a GENETIC ALGORITHM designed for
industrial use. It includes examples accompanying the tutorial in
the companion "Handbook of Genetic Algorithms". OOGA is designed such
that each of the techniques employed by a GA is an object that may be
modified, displayed or replaced in object-oriented fashion. OOGA is
especially well-suited for individuals wishing to modify the basic GA
techniques or tailor them to new domains.
The buyer of OOGA also receives Genesis (see above). This release
sports an improved user interface. OOGA and Genesis are available
together on 3.5'' or 5.25'' disk for $60 ($52.50 inside North
America) by order from: The Software Partnership (T.S.P.), P.O. Box
991, Melrose, MA 02176, USA. Tel: +1 617 662 8991 (Unverified 8/94).
PC-Beagle:
PC-Beagle is a rule-finder program for PCs which examines a database
of examples and uses machine-learning techniques to create a set of
decision rules for classifying those examples, thus turning data into
knowledge. The system contains six major components, one of which
(HERB - the "Heuristic Evolutionary Rule Breeder") uses GA techniques
to generate rules by natural SELECTION.
PC-Beagle is available to educational users for 69 pounds sterling.
Orders, payment or requests for information should be addressed to:
Richard Forsyth, Pathway Research Ltd., 59 Cranbrook Rd., Bristol BS6
7BS, UK. Tel: +44 272 428692 (Unverified 8/94).
XpertRule GenAsys:
XpertRule GenAsys is an expert system shell with embedded GENETIC
ALGORITHM marketed by Attar Software. Targeted to solve scheduling
and design applications, this system combines the power of genetic
algorithms in evolving solutions with the power of rule-based
programming in analyzing the effectiveness of solutions. Rule-based
programming can also be used to generate the initial POPULATION for
the genetic algorithm and for post-optimization planning. Some
examples of design and scheduling problems which can be solved by
this system include: OPTIMIZATION of design parameters in electronic
and avionic industries, route optimization in the distribution
sector, production scheduling in manufacturing, etc.
For further information, contact: Attar Software, Newlands Road,
Leigh, Lancashire, UK. Tel: +44 942 608844. (Unverified 8/94).
Last known address <100166.1547@CompuServe.com>. This now bounces
back with "user unknown".
XYpe:
XYpe (The GA Engine) is a commercial GA application and development
package for the Apple Macintosh. Its standard user interface allows
you to design CHROMOSOMEs, set attributes of the genetic engine and
graphically display its progress. The development package provides a
set of Think C libraries and include files for the design of new GA
applications. XYpe supports adaptive operator weights and mixtures of
alpha, binary, gray, ordering and real number codings.
The price of $725 (in Massachusetts add 5% sales tax) plus $15
shipping and handling includes technical support and three
documentation manuals. XYpe requires a Macintosh SE or newer with
2MB RAM running OS V6.0.4 or greater, and Think C if using the
development package.
Currently the GA engine is working; the user interface will be
completed on demand. Interested parties should contact: Ed Swartz,
Virtual Image, Inc., 75 Sandy Pond Road #11, Ayer, MA 01432, USA.
Tel: +1 (508) 772-4225 (Unverified 8/94).
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