Past Logs
Logs
May 29, 2002  
  • Studied and compiled some of the sample code in GALib. The examples consisted of reading parameters from the command-line and from a file, using different GA algorithms and selection methods, optimizing a simple two parameter function.
  • Went through Mitchell and Michalewicz to fill in the gaps in Goldberg, and bring me up to speed with some of the recent developments.
May 28, 2002  
  • Studied and compiled some of the sample code in GALib. The examples consisted of having a GA essentially match an array of real numbers, fill a 2D array with alternating 1's and 0's, and match a simple image contained in a file. Simple stuff so far.
  • Renewed books from library. Didn't read any though.
  • Technically finished Goldberg. Going back over it to highlght important concepts
May 27, 2002  
  • Read through the 'Overview' section in the documentation for GALib 2.4.5. Learned that there are only two things needed (if the supported data types can express your problem) is to choose a coding and define an objective function. Yet that's easier said than done.
  • Read some more Feynman. Matrix mechanics is cool.
  • Skimmed through the Machine Learning stuff in Goldberg. The info contained therein would probably not be that useful for the summer work. And it's thirteen years old as well.
May 24, 2002  
  • Installed and configured needed libraries on chemistry account.
  • Reviewed more Linear Algebra (Tensor products/Kronecker products, Diagonalization/Eigenvectors).
  • Read some more Feynman. His introductory treatment of matrix mechanics (unlike standard quantum mechanics courses) is quite lucid.
  • Started to read on GBML (Genetics Based Machine Learning) Applications.
  • Studied more example code in GALib. Starting to look at problems to implement.
May 23, 2002  
  • Got the key to LM422.
  • Reading some PVM stuff. Looking into VTK and OpenDX as visualization alternatives.
  • Read some more Feynman.
  • Started to read on GBML (Genetics Based Machine Learning)
  • Studied the example code in GALib.
May 22, 2002  
  • Finally set up my account for the chemistry building.
  • Reading up on PVM (Parallel Virtual Machine) to explore the possibility of running the GA's on a cluster.
  • Still looking at VTK for the visualization part. Looked for some tutorials.
  • Reviewed Groups, Fields, Vector Spaces, Linear Dependence/Indepence, Schmidt's Orthogonalization, Inner Product Spaces, Schwarz Inequality, Bessel Inequality, Linear Transformations, Invertibility & Isomorphisms, Change of Coordinate Matrix, Dual Spaces
  • Read up on the Dominance and Inversion genetic operators.
  • Started to read some stuff on classical Information Theory and Coding Theory
May 21, 2002  
  • Added a link to the bottom - a webseminar w/ RealAudio + Slides that introduces Quantum Computing right from the beginning, though it helps if one has some of the requisite background.
  • Read some more Goldberg. Still working through it. However, I will definitely start working through some GALib code soon, as I'm nearly finished the most important stuff (i.e. advanced genetic operators).
  • Read more Feynman. I've decided to read a chapter a day. Since there are only twenty or so chapters I should complete it three weeks from now.
  • Started to review some Linear Algebra by working through a book entitled "Matrices and Tensors in Physics" by A. W. Joshi. It's quite a nice little book, the only problem being that it's not the most rigorous of texts - though it comes close. However after I'm done I can always go back and 'restructure' everything in proper mathematical formalism if I'm so inclined.
  • In general I have done quite a bit of work today.
May 20, 2002  
  • Finally finished this site. It turns out that writing a general description of vast subjects and looking for targeted links to add substance to said description is a pain in the ass.
  • Reviewed quite a bit about C++. I have not got around to reviewing any code yet. I'm behind in this respect, though I'm working to catch up.
  • Read some Goldberg. Still haven't finished it yet. I'm on the verge however.
  • Looking into ways to get the GALib code to visualize. Currently looking at VTK (looks complicated) and the simple X related stuff done in GALib in the graphics example.
  • Starting to read some Feynman Lectures stuff (vol. 3). It was recommended by some of the lecture notes I'm working through because it deals with matrix mechanics right away. I got a copy of Messiah just so I can smooth out all the formalism after everything's said and done.
  • I shall try to stay away from my computer for the next few days (of course except to check e-mail and update this log). I find I'm easily distracted into reading stuff not immediately related to what I should be doing, namely mastering GALib.
May 17, 2002  
  • Still updating site. It's slow going.
  • Reviewing linear algebra.
  • Went to the library, got Messiah's 'Quantum Mechanics' and Feynman's 'Lecture's on Physics vol. 3'.
May 16, 2002  
  • I've set up this site for two reasons: to force myself to recap on my day's work, and to provide a method by which people can see what I've been doing. For their own interest, or evaluation, whatever.
  • I have been making steady progress on Goldberg, having recently finished working through Ch. 5 ("Advanced Operators and Techniques in Genetic Search"). I should soon finish the book. So far my GA knowledge encompasses the basic GA operation, mathematical arguments for the success of GAs, issues of representation of problem data and evaluation, sample applications and some specialized techniques. I plan after I'm finished with Goldberg to move on to the Mitchell book which outlines some of the more recent advances in the field.
  • Also with the Mitchell book, I hope to implement some of the more difficult excercises as a demo for Prof. Lidar. To that end, I've printed out the manual for GALib, as well as the source code of all 26 or so examples. I hope to finish the Goldberg book and finish studying the good examples in time to start working through the (somewhat small) Mitchell book, and finally get down to some real work.
  • I've been reviewing my Linear Algebra and Quantum Mechanics. I plan to start working through some of the Quantum Computation literature I have soon.