Package ec.gp

Class GPData

java.lang.Object
ec.gp.GPData
All Implemented Interfaces:
Prototype, Setup, Serializable, Cloneable
public class GPData extends Object implements Prototype
GPData is the parent class of data transferred between GPNodes. If performed correctly, there need be only one GPData instance ever created in the evaluation of many individuals.

You can use GPData as-is if you have absolutely no data to transfer between individuals. Otherwise, you need to subclas GPData, add your own instance variables, and then override the copyTo(...) method and, depending on whether the data has pointers in it (like arrays), the clone() method as well.

Default Base
gp.data

See Also:

  • Field Details

  • Constructor Details

    • GPData

      public GPData()

  • Method Details

    • copyTo

      public void copyTo(GPData gpd)
      Modifies gpd so that gpd is equivalent to us. You may safely assume that gpd is of the same class as we are. Do not share pointers with the other object, except to read-only data: instead, copy any read-write data as necessary.

    • defaultBase

      public Parameter defaultBase()
      Description copied from interface: Prototype
      Returns the default base for this prototype. This should generally be implemented by building off of the static base() method on the DefaultsForm object for the prototype's package. This should be callable during setup(...).
      Specified by:
      defaultBase in interface Prototype

    • setup

      public void setup(EvolutionState state, Parameter base)
      Description copied from interface: Prototype
      Sets up the object by reading it from the parameters stored in state, built off of the parameter base base. If an ancestor implements this method, be sure to call super.setup(state,base); before you do anything else.

      For prototypes, setup(...) is typically called once for the prototype instance; cloned instances do not receive the setup(...) call. setup(...) may be called more than once; the only guarantee is that it will get called at least once on an instance or some "parent" object from which it was ultimately cloned.

      Specified by:
      setup in interface Prototype
      Specified by:
      setup in interface Setup

    • clone

      public Object clone()
      Description copied from interface: Prototype
      Creates a new individual cloned from a prototype, and suitable to begin use in its own evolutionary context.

      Typically this should be a full "deep" clone. However, you may share certain elements with other objects rather than clone hem, depending on the situation:

      • If you hold objects which are shared with other instances, don't clone them.
      • If you hold objects which must be unique, clone them.
      • If you hold objects which were given to you as a gesture of kindness, and aren't owned by you, you probably shouldn't clone them.
      • DON'T attempt to clone: Singletons, Cliques, or Populations, or Subpopulation.
      • Arrays are not cloned automatically; you may need to clone an array if you're not sharing it with other instances. Arrays have the nice feature of being copyable by calling clone() on them.

      Implementations.

      • If no ancestor of yours implements clone(), and you have no need to do clone deeply, and you are abstract, then you should not declare clone().
      • If no ancestor of yours implements clone(), and you have no need to do clone deeply, and you are not abstract, then you should implement it as follows: 

         public Object clone() 
     {
     try
         { 
         return super.clone();
         }
     catch ((CloneNotSupportedException e)
         { throw new InternalError(); } // never happens
     }
      • If no ancestor of yours implements clone(), but you need to deep-clone some things, then you should implement it as follows: 

         public Object clone() 
     {
     try
         { 
         MyObject myobj = (MyObject) (super.clone());

         // put your deep-cloning code here...
         }
     catch ((CloneNotSupportedException e)
         { throw new InternalError(); } // never happens
     return myobj;
     }
      • If an ancestor has implemented clone(), and you also need to deep clone some things, then you should implement it as follows: 

         public Object clone() 
     { 
     MyObject myobj = (MyObject) (super.clone());

     // put your deep-cloning code here...

     return myobj;
     }
      Specified by:
      clone in interface Prototype
      Overrides:
      clone in class Object