Enviroment/Organisms

[yrwyddfa]

So what (in detail ) is the challenge?

You, as a programmer, must interpret a bit string in order to decide what to do.

You'll need to make many decisions about how long each chromosome of the bit string is (according to your behavioural needs - you may even need to prioritise which behavioural trait that you feel you need the most). You'll need to decide how to deal with meaningless bitstrings.

The efficiency of your code will not depend on speed, but will depend on the 'correct' survival decisions made at the correct times.

I proprose, however, that there is a limit on time for each decision an organism is allowed to make. If the decision takes longer than the designated time then the decision is void and is not carried out.

I believe in the most average of programmer can provide an organism. An outstanding programmer will find ways of heuristically solving what - when all is said and done - an impossible problem.

THe mutation rate, the sexual recombination rate, and even the type of sexual recombination (haploid/diploid?) will probably be of paramount importance.

[yrwyddfa]

All I need now is some feedback.

I need in general - not in detail - the development of the environment is not a quick and dirty thing to be done. It will need to be designed, built, and published before the competition is started.

I really need 'yeas' and 'neas' nothing more.

I reckon I need an absolute minimum of eight competitors. I will not be entering the competion (I will be creating theenvironment, and the environment hazards)

We can sort the real detail out later.

I am actually quite excited about this. Even if you don't fancy the programming of an organism, then I will certainly be happy to enlist your help. Particulary I will need fast VB6 programmers (Merri/Penegate where are you?) I will need good SQL Server designers (szlamany - I know you're listening?)

I think that this could be a great project that we can all get together and work together, and perhaps produce some data that is really useful. I'm thinking of the science of emergence (et al)

Please PLEASE let me know if you're interested (don't PM me - just post here)

[yrwyddfa]

PS: I intend to publish the results (somehow) so the university people can study what we've done. So competitors must be willing to give their real name (in private to me, in public to the publishers)