artificial life

The College of Wooster

An Overview Of Artificial Life
With A Focus On Genetic Algorithm
And Genetic Programming

By J. Scott Cameron

An Independent Study Thesis
Present in Partial Fullfillment
of the Requirements of the College of Wooster
and the Program in Computer Science
2000-2001

Advisor: Dr. Denise Byrnes


Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Exposition

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Defining Life

1.3 Objectives of this Project

Chapter 2 - Origins of Artificial Life

2.1 Introduction

2.2 John von Neumann

2.3 Langton's Loops

2.4 Langton Loops Applet

2.5 Emergence

Chapter 3 - Cellular Automata

3.1 Introduction

;3.2 Cellular Automata

3.3 Conway's Game of Life

3.4 Conway's Game of Life Applet

3.5 One Dimensional Cellular Automata

3.6 One Dimensional Cellular Automata Applet

3.7 Flocking

3.8 OpenGL Boids

3.9 Conclusion

Chapter 4 - Lindenmayer Systems

4.1 Aristid Lindenmayer

4.2 Graphical L-Systems

4.3 Graphical L-Systems Applet

4.4 3D L-Systems (Direct3D)

4.5 Conclusion

Chapter 5 - Genetic Algortihms

5.1 Genetic Algorithms

5.2 0-1 Knapsack Problem

5.3 Representation and Evaluation

5.4 Regeneration

5.5 Analysis of Results

5.6 0-1 Knapsack Applet

5.7 Conclusion

Chapter 6 - Genetic Programming

6.1 Introduction to Genetic Programming

6.2 Symbolic Regression

6.3 Regeneration

6.4 Symbolic Regression Applet

6.5 Results

6.6 Karl Sims

6.7 Conclusion

Chapter 7 - The Genetic Images Application

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Application Design

7.3 Representation

7.4 Evolving the Images

7.5 Selected Images

7.6 Observations & Limitations

7.6 Conclusion

Chapter 8 - Conclusion

References