pub trait Chromosome: Clone + Send {
// Required methods
fn age(&self) -> usize;
fn reset_age(&mut self);
fn increment_age(&mut self);
fn fitness_score(&self) -> Option<FitnessValue>;
fn set_fitness_score(&mut self, fitness_score: Option<FitnessValue>);
fn taint(&mut self);
fn copy_fields_from(&mut self, other: &Self);
// Provided method
fn clone_and_taint(&self) -> Self { ... }
}Expand description
The Chromosome is used as an individual in the Population. Chromosomes select, crossover and mutate with each other in the Evolve strategy. Each Genotype has its own associated Chromosome type.
Chromosomes who implement GenesOwner own their genes. Chromosomes who implement GenesPointer don’t and just point to genes owned by the Genotype. Therefore the chromosome itself doesn’t have a global interface regarding it’s genes and use of Evolve::best_chromosome(), HillCllimb::best_chromosome() and Permutate::best_chromosome() on the Strategy are discouraged (although they are available when using a Genotype with a GenesOwner chromosome). Use Strategy::best_genes() or Strategy::best_genes_and_fitness_score() instead.
In the Fitness context an associated Genotype type is set. And in that contest the ownership model of the genes is known, so we can use the Chromosome struct without ambiguity.