ChromosomeMutator.java

/*
 * This file is part of n-genes2.
 *
 * n-genes2 is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
 * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
 * (at your option) any later version.
 *
 * n-genes2 is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
 * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
 * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
 * GNU General Public License for more details.
 *
 * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 * along with n-genes2.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 *
 * Copyright 2010, Paradigmatic <paradigmatic@streum.org>
 *
 */

package ngenes2.ops.mutator;

import java.util.List;

/**
 * Mutates a chromosome (represented as a list of genes) to produce a new chromosover.
 * The input chromosome should not be changed. A new list must be created and return.
 * @author falcone
 * @param <G>
 */
public interface ChromosomeMutator<G> {

    /**
     * Mutates a chromosome take as argument. Implementation should not
     * attempt to directly change the chromosome, but must create a new one.
     * @param chromosome The chromosome to be mutated
     * @return The result of the mutation
     */
    public List<G> mutate( List<G> chromosome );
}