Breeder.java

/* 
 * Copyright 2007-2013
 * Licensed under GNU Lesser General Public License
 * 
 * This file is part of EpochX
 * 
 * EpochX is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 * it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
 * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
 * (at your option) any later version.
 * 
 * EpochX 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 Lesser General Public License for more details.
 * 
 * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
 * along with EpochX. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 * 
 * The latest version is available from: http://www.epochx.org
 */

package org.epochx;

import java.util.List;

import org.epochx.Config.ConfigKey;

/**
 * A <code>Breeder</code> is a component that is responsible for applying 
 * genetic operators to a population. The operators that are applied should be 
 * chosen from those provided by the <code>OPERATORS</code> configuration
 * parameter. The individuals that undergo the operations should be selected 
 * from the received population using the individual selector set with the 
 * <code>SELECTOR</code> configuration parameter. The method for selecting
 * between the operators and their order of application are implementation 
 * specific details.
 */
public interface Breeder extends Component {

	/**
	 * The key for setting and retrieving the genetic operators.
	 */
	public static final ConfigKey<List<Operator>> OPERATORS = new ConfigKey<List<Operator>>();

	/**
	 * The key for setting and retrieving the <code>IndividualSelector</code>.
	 */
	public static final ConfigKey<IndividualSelector> SELECTOR = new ConfigKey<IndividualSelector>();

}