# evolve
A generic, composable genetic algorithm framework for Rust.
`evolve` provides the building blocks to assemble genetic algorithms from reusable, type-safe components. Operators are composed using combinators — chain them into pipelines, weight them probabilistically, or repeat them to fill a population — all with zero-cost abstractions.
## Features
- Fully generic over genome type, fitness type, RNG, and fitness comparator
- Built-in operators for selection, crossover, and mutation
- Composable combinators for structuring the flow of the algorithm
- `Maximize` and `Minimize` fitness comparators out of the box
- Closures work as fitness evaluators and comparators via blanket trait impls
- No dependencies beyond `rand` (optional `pooled` for parallel execution)
## Quick Start
```rust
use evolve::{
algorithm::ga::GeneticAlgorithm,
fitness::Maximize,
initialization::Random,
operators::sequential::combinator::Fill,
operators::sequential::mutation::RandomReset,
termination::MaxGenerations,
};
use std::num::NonZero;
fn main() {
let fitness_fn = |args: &[u32; 2]| (args[0] as usize) * (args[0] as usize) - (args[1] as usize);
let mut ga = GeneticAlgorithm::new(
Random::new(),
MaxGenerations::new(100),
fitness_fn,
Fill::from_population_size(RandomReset::new()),
NonZero::new(500).unwrap(),
rand::rng(),
Maximize,
);
let result = ga.run();
let best = result.population.best(&fitness_fn, &Maximize);
println!("Best genome: {:?}, fitness: {:?}", best.genome(), best.fitness(&fitness_fn));
}
```
## Builder Pattern
The GA can also be constructed incrementally with a builder:
```rust
use evolve::{
algorithm::ga::GeneticAlgorithm,
fitness::Maximize,
initialization::Random,
operators::sequential::combinator::Fill,
operators::sequential::mutation::RandomReset,
termination::MaxGenerations,
};
use std::num::NonZero;
fn main() {
let fitness_fn = |args: &[u32; 2]| (args[0] as usize) * (args[0] as usize) - (args[1] as usize);
let mut ga = GeneticAlgorithm::builder(NonZero::new(500).unwrap())
.initializer(Random::new())
.termination(MaxGenerations::new(100))
.fitness(fitness_fn)
.operators(Fill::from_population_size(RandomReset::new()))
.rng(rand::rng())
.comparator(Maximize)
.build();
let result = ga.run();
}
```
## Custom Operators
Implement `GeneticOperator` to define your own:
```rust
use evolve::{
core::{context::Context, offspring::Offspring, state::State},
operators::GeneticOperator,
};
struct MyOperator;
impl<G, F, Fe, R, C> GeneticOperator<G, F, Fe, R, C> for MyOperator {
fn apply(&self, state: &State<G, F>, ctx: &mut Context<Fe, R, C>) -> Offspring<G, F> {
// your logic here
todo!()
}
}
```
## Parallel Execution
Enable the `parallel` feature to run operators across multiple threads:
```toml
[dependencies]
evolve = { version = "0.2.0", features = ["parallel"] }
```
Parallel operators distribute work across a thread pool using the `pooled` crate:
```rust
use evolve::{
algorithm::ga::GeneticAlgorithm,
fitness::Maximize,
initialization::Random,
operators::parallel::combinator::Fill,
operators::sequential::mutation::RandomReset,
termination::MaxGenerations,
};
use std::num::NonZero;
fn main() {
let mut ga = GeneticAlgorithm::builder(NonZero::new(500).unwrap())
.initializer(Random::new())
.termination(MaxGenerations::new(100))
.fitness(|g: &[u8; 4]| g.iter().map(|x| *x as u32).sum::<u32>())
.operators(Fill::new(RandomReset::new(), 500))
.rng(rand::rng())
.comparator(Maximize)
.build();
let result = ga.run();
}
```
A `Runtime` is created automatically (defaulting to `available_parallelism` threads) or can be configured via the builder's `.runtime()` method:
```rust
// Use a custom thread pool size
let ga = GeneticAlgorithm::builder(NonZero::new(500).unwrap())
// ...
.runtime(pooled::Runtime::new(4))
.build();
```
## Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Feel free to open an issue for bug reports, feature requests, or questions. Pull requests are also appreciated.
## AI Disclosure
AI was used only to assist with writing comments, writing tests, writing examples, and as a rubber duck to discuss ideas with. All final decisions and code were written by a human.