source: branches/OKBJavaConnector/ECJClient/src/ec/breed/README @ 12912

This directory contains some simple utility breeding pipelines.  These
pipelines don't make modifications of individuals, so if you're looking
for crossover or mutation etc., you'll need to check in other packages
more specifically designed for your representation.

ec.breed.ReproductionPipeline
  Requests an individual from its sole source pipeline, then
  makes a copy of it and returns the copy.  Largely used in the
  genetic programming package.

ec.breed.MultiBreedingPipeline
  When asked to create one or more children, selects from among
  some N source pipelines attached to it, requests indivdiuals
  from the chosen source, copies them, and returns them.  The
  selection procedure is probabilistic, based on the 'probability'
  values stored in each of the sources (in fact,
  MultiBreedingPipeline is the reason those probability values exist.
  This is historical: we probably should have stored them in
  the MultiBreedingPipeline instead!  Might change in the future.)

ec.breed.ForceBreedingPipeline
  When asked to create some N children, this repeatedly requests from
  its sole source some M<=N children at a time (you specify the M)
  until it gets the N children asked for.  This is useful for various
  minor tricks, such as forcing Crossover to only produce one individual.

ec.breed.BufferedBreedingPipeline
  When asked to create some N children, this makes a large request
  from its sole source to create some M >= N children at a time
  (you specify the M).  It then returns N of these children, storing
  away the other M - N ones.  When asked again to create some more 
  children, it reaches into this storage and provides some of them.
  When the storage is depleted, it creates another M children.  This
  is useful for certain minor tricks: for example, enabling you to cross
  over two individuals, then cross them over *again*.  We'd do that by
  attaching the same BufferedBreedingPipeline (with M=2) to _both_
  sources of a CrossoverPipeline (use the "same" options).  The
  BufferedBreedingPipeline then has another CrossoverPipeline as its
  source.  When the top CrossoverPipeline asked for its first child
  to cross over, the BufferedBreedingPipeline would demand two children
  from the subsidiary CrossoverPipeline (already crossed over), then
  provide one of them.  When the second child is requested, the remaining
  child would be provided. 

ec.breed.GenerationSwitchPipeline
  This pipeline takes two sources.  If the generation is less than G,
  then the pipeline provides copies of individuals from source 0.  Else
  it provides copies of individuals from source 1.