This paper uses the GP paradigm to evolve linear genotypes (individuals) that consist of Java byte code. Our prototype GP system is implemented in Java using a standard Java development kit (JDK). The evolutionary process is done completely in memory and the fitness of individuals is determined by directly executing them in the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). We validate our approach by solving a functional regression problem with a fourth degree polynomial, and a classification problem diagnosing thyroid disease. Our implementation provides a fast, effective means for evolving native machine code for the JVM.
Brad Harvey, James A. Foster, Deborah A. Frincke