About the book

Robot with transparent background A Field Guide to Genetic Programming (ISBN 978-1-4092-0073-4) is an introduction to genetic programming (GP). GP is a systematic, domain-independent method for getting computers to solve problems automatically starting from a high-level statement of what needs to be done. Using ideas from natural evolution, GP starts from an ooze of random computer programs, and progressively refines them through processes of mutation and sexual recombination, until solutions emerge. All this without the user having to know or specify the form or structure of solutions in advance. GP has generated a plethora of human-competitive results and applications, including novel scientific discoveries and patentable inventions.

The book is freely downloadable under a Creative Commons license as a PDF and low cost printed copies can be purchased from lulu.com. This web site will be used for information relating to the book, and other pertinent announcements. We also have a discussion group for questions and conversation related to the book.

Friday 30 July 2010

Just 2 days left: GPEM anniversary issue available for free!

The Springer journal Genetic Programming and Evolvable Machines is celebrating its first 10 years with a special anniversary issue of articles reviewing the state of GP and considering some of its possible futures. For the month of July (which ends in two days!) the entire issue is available for free download.

Included in the issue are:
  • Human-competitive results produced by genetic programming
  • Theoretical results in genetic programming: the next ten years?
  • Genetic Programming and Evolvable Machines: ten years of reviews
  • Open issues in genetic programming
  • Grammar-based genetic programming: a survey
  • Developments in Cartesian Genetic Programming: self-modifying CGP
  • Bio-inspired artificial intelligence: theory, methods, and technologies
Once the month ends these will all start costing money again with two exceptions: the article on human-competitive results and the survey of 10 years of reviews will remain free in perpetuity.

In the spirit of full disclosure, Riccardo, Bill, and I are all on the editorial board of the journal and contributed to one or more of the articles. Still, it's a cool resource marking an interesting time in the development of the field, so take advantage of it while you can!