#genetic-algorithms

tomgrzyb@sysad.org

#freeculture
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#genetic-algorithms
#ai

Genetic programming “makefiles” for compilation of sourcecode

I just had an interesting idea - well interesting to me, probably because I do not know better…

I was thinking about “genetic programming” and it occurred to me that this process could be used to carry-out and optimize the compilation of source-code.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_programming

“genetic programming (GP) is a technique of evolving programs, starting from a population of unfit (usually random) programs, fit for a particular task by applying operations analogous to natural genetic processes to the population of programs.The operations are: selection of the fittest programs for reproduction (crossover) and mutation according to a predefined fitness measure, usually proficiency at the desired task.”

Sooo… if the population of unfit programs is something like the “set of makefiles” which potentially fully specify a set of source code object requirements and the versions of those objects which can then compile a desired product; and the fitness measure is measured first by the ability to compile the desired product (of course), and then along with some other desired objectives: such as lowest total warning messages, using the most recent version(s) available, ability to compile at the cumulatively highest optimization levels… or other such plus-factors - then the mutations and selection would be carried-out against an array of these “makefiles.”

I imagine something like this has been done, but a cursory search did not turn-up anything like it.