Gene expression programming and the automatic
evolution of computer programs
Recent Developments in Biologically Inspired
Computing, chapter 6, Idea Group Publishing, (2004)Abstract
In this chapter an artificial problem solver inspired
in natural genotype/phenotype systems gene expression
programming is presented. As an introduction, the
fundamental differences between gene expression
programming and its predecessors, genetic algorithms
and genetic programming, are briefly summarised so that
the evolutionary advantages of gene expression
programming are better understood. The work proceeds
with a detailed description of the architecture of the
main players of this new algorithm (chromosomes and
expression trees), focusing mainly on the interactions
between them and how the simple yet revolutionary
structure of the chromosomes allows the efficient,
unconstrained exploration of the search space. And
finally, the chapter closes with an advanced
application in which gene expression programming is
used to evolve computer programs for diagnosing breast
cancer.