System and method for analyzing genertic algorithms

A computer for analyzing an evolutionary algorithm using a response vector α and an effect vector μ, the computer comprising:

• a memory having program instructions;
• and
• a processor, responsive to the programming instructions, configured to:
• determine a plurality of control parameters that control the operation of the evolutionary algorithm;
• execute the evolutionary algorithm according to a set of the determined control parameters, with each control parameter having a value selected from a range of values for each control parameter, to obtain a corresponding response vector α with response values;
• and
• determine the effect vector μ, having coefficients μi, from the response vector α, with each coefficient μi representing a respective effect on the response value due to at least one change in the value of at least one of the plurality of control parameters.

An apparatus for evaluating an evolutionary algorithm using a response vector α and an effect vector μ, the apparatus comprising:

• means for determining a plurality of control parameters that control the operation of the evolutionary algorithm;
• means for executing the evolutionary algorithm according to a set of the determined control parameters, with each control parameter having a value selected from a range of values for each control parameter, to obtain a corresponding response vector α with response values;
• and
• means for determining the effect vector μ, having coefficients μi, from the response vector α, with each coefficient μi representing a respective effect on the response value due to at least one change in the value of at least one of the plurality of control parameters.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method for analyzing an evolutionary algorithm using a response vector α and an effect vector μ, the method comprising the steps of:

• determining a plurality of control parameters that control the operation of the evolutionary algorithm;
• executing the evolutionary algorithm according to a set of the determined control parameters, with each control parameter having a value selected from a range of values for each control parameter, to obtain a corresponding response vector α with response values;
• and
• determining the effect vector μ, having coefficients μi, from the response vector α, with each coefficient μi representing a respective effect on the response value due to at least one change in the value of at least one of the plurality of control parameters.