Changes between Version 40 and Version 41 of Documentation/FirstSteps
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- 04/07/12 15:00:55 (13 years ago)
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Documentation/FirstSteps
v40 v41 4 4 == 1. Introduction == 5 5 === 1.1 Target Audience === 6 This manual is intended for end users, domain experts and students who are not necessarily familiar with algorithm development in .NET. It therefore focuses on the graphical user interface and how to configure, customize and extend the available standard algorithm already available in !HeuristicLab 3.3 for a particular problem without writing (a lot of) code. We believe that a successive transfer of competence in algorithm development from heuristic optimization experts to users working on real-world applications would be very beneficial for the community as a whole. This manual will slowly guide you through a number of [#Tutorials tutorials] after which we hope even novice users will no longer have to use metaheuristics as black box techniques, but can use them as algorithms which can be modified and easily tuned to specific problem situations.6 This manual is intended for end users, domain experts and students who are not necessarily familiar with algorithm development in .NET. It therefore focuses on the graphical user interface and how to configure, customize and extend the available standard algorithm already available in HeuristicLab 3.3 for a particular problem without writing (a lot of) code. We believe that a successive transfer of competence in algorithm development from heuristic optimization experts to users working on real-world applications would be very beneficial for the community as a whole. This manual will slowly guide you through a number of [#Tutorials tutorials] after which we hope even novice users will no longer have to use metaheuristics as black box techniques, but can use them as algorithms which can be modified and easily tuned to specific problem situations. 7 7 8 8 === 1.2 HeuristicLab Software Architecture === 9 9 10 The core of !HeuristicLab is its algorithm model. It is not necessary to understand more than an abstract level of the core language as an end user. We provide a short summary of the most important components here:10 The core of HeuristicLab is its algorithm model. It is not necessary to understand more than an abstract level of the core language as an end user. We provide a short summary of the most important components here: 11 11 12 12 [[Image(wiki:Architecture:core_architecture.jpg, width=350, margin-bottom=10)]] 13 13 14 14 Core concepts: 15 * '''Data:''' All !HeuristicLab 3.3 data objects can be saved, restored and viewed. Standard data types such as integers, doubles, strings, or arrays that do not offer these properties are wrapped in !HeuristicLab 3.3 objects.15 * '''Data:''' All HeuristicLab 3.3 data objects can be saved, restored and viewed. Standard data types such as integers, doubles, strings, or arrays that do not offer these properties are wrapped in HeuristicLab 3.3 objects. 16 16 * '''Variables:''' Data objects are linked to a name by storing them in a variable. 17 17 * '''Scopes:''' Scopes are containers for variables. To access a variable in a scope, the variable name is used as an identifer (has to be unique per scope). Scopes can be hierarchically organized as trees (subscope hierarchy). 18 * '''Operators:''' Each algorithm is a sequence of instructions, which are called operators in !HeuristicLab 3.3. Operators are applied on scopes to access/manipulate variables and subscopes.18 * '''Operators:''' Each algorithm is a sequence of instructions, which are called operators in HeuristicLab 3.3. Operators are applied on scopes to access/manipulate variables and subscopes. 19 19 * '''Parameters:''' Each operator defines parameters for each variable it expects and (possibly) manipulates. 20 20 * '''Engines:''' Algorithms are represented as operator graphs and executed step-by-step on virtual machines called engines. … … 23 23 24 24 == 2. Supported Algorithms and Problems == 25 A detailed list of available algorithms and problems in !HeuristicLab can be found on the [wiki:UsersFeatures Features] page.25 A detailed list of available algorithms and problems in HeuristicLab can be found on the [wiki:UsersFeatures Features] page. 26 26 27 27 == 3. Getting Started == 28 If you start !HeuristicLab, a splash screen will appear while all the plugins are loaded. Afterwards you can select a !HeuristicLab application on the start screen:28 If you start HeuristicLab, a splash screen will appear while all the plugins are loaded. Afterwards you can select a HeuristicLab application on the start screen: 29 29 30 30 [[Image(wiki:Pictures:StartScreen.png, nolink)]] 31 31 32 32 The standard configuration, which you can download on this homepage, is shipped with two applications: 33 * [#Optimizer HeuristicLab Optimizer]: The optimizer is the core application of the !HeuristicLab Framework, providing a variety of metaheuristic algorithms, standard problem implementations, a comfortable test bench and modules for algorithm development and visualization. As an end user you will mostly work with the Optimizer.34 * [#PluginManager HeuristicLab Plugin Manager]: The !HeuristicLab architecture is based on plugins. All optimization algorithms and problems are realized as plugins and interact with each other via well-defined and extensible interfaces. The plugin manager allows you to browse, install and update available plugins from our centralized update location or manage your own plugins.33 * [#Optimizer HeuristicLab Optimizer]: The optimizer is the core application of the HeuristicLab Framework, providing a variety of metaheuristic algorithms, standard problem implementations, a comfortable test bench and modules for algorithm development and visualization. As an end user you will mostly work with the Optimizer. 34 * [#PluginManager HeuristicLab Plugin Manager]: The HeuristicLab architecture is based on plugins. All optimization algorithms and problems are realized as plugins and interact with each other via well-defined and extensible interfaces. The plugin manager allows you to browse, install and update available plugins from our centralized update location or manage your own plugins. 35 35 36 36 [=#Optimizer] 37 37 == 4. HeuristicLab Optimizer == 38 38 === 4.1 Start Working === 39 Follow these steps to start working with !HeuristicLab Optimizer:39 Follow these steps to start working with HeuristicLab Optimizer: 40 40 1. '''Open an algorithm''' 41 41 * click ''New Item'' in the toolbar and select an algorithm or click ''Open File'' in the toolbar and load an algorithm from a file … … 53 53 54 54 === 4.2 Samples === 55 For you convenience we have prepared a set of [[UsersSamples| samples]] that are shipped with !HeuristicLab. These samples provide a set of preconfigured algorithms for particular problems. For example, if you want to solve a TSP problem with genetic algorithms our preconfigured [[UsersSamples#GATSP| GA for the ch130 problem]] might be worth a look.55 For you convenience we have prepared a set of [[UsersSamples| samples]] that are shipped with HeuristicLab. These samples provide a set of preconfigured algorithms for particular problems. For example, if you want to solve a TSP problem with genetic algorithms our preconfigured [[UsersSamples#GATSP| GA for the ch130 problem]] might be worth a look. 56 56 57 57 [=#Tutorials] 58 58 == 5. Tutorials == 59 Are you looking for predefined algorithms which can be executed immediately or an easy step-by-step guide to the parameterization of a particular algorithm? In this section we will provide tutorials on different aspects of !HeuristicLab. Most of them are not yet written, but we strive to catch up with the documentation. Contributions are always welcome! [[BR]]60 You can also have a look at [wiki:UsersTutorials this page] for slides of tutorials that we held at conferences .59 Are you looking for predefined algorithms which can be executed immediately or an easy step-by-step guide to the parameterization of a particular algorithm? In this section we will provide tutorials on different aspects of HeuristicLab. Most of them are not yet written, but we strive to catch up with the documentation. Contributions are always welcome! [[BR]] 60 You can also have a look at [wiki:UsersTutorials this page] for slides of tutorials that we held at conferences as well as video tutorials covering various aspects of HeuristicLab. 61 61 62 62 === 5.1 Optimizing External Applications === … … 75 75 76 76 == 9. Feedback == 77 Any feedback, questions, problems or requests for new features? Please have a look at our [wiki:UsersSupport support & feedback] wiki page to see how to contact the !HeuristicLab development team.77 Any feedback, questions, problems or requests for new features? Please have a look at our [wiki:UsersSupport support & feedback] wiki page to see how to contact the HeuristicLab development team.
