Re: [boost] FW: FW: Proposal for a Differential Evolution C++ library

Subject: Re: [boost] FW: FW: Proposal for a Differential Evolution C++ library
From: Adrian Michel (adrian_at_[hidden])
Date: 2012-01-10 01:03:53

On 1/9/2012 9:11 AM, Paul A. Bristow wrote:

>
> I, for one, think this looks a very useful library.
>
> But few of the Boosters who follow these lists will be expert or even
> potential users of this
> 'niche' topic - which is why I think you've not had a deservedly rave
> response ;-)
>

Thanks. I'm actually not surprised by the limited response for the exact 
reasons you mention, but I imagine this must have been the case with 
other libraries as well.

> The documentation looks in a good state.  The code looks clean and portable,
> but finding someone to
> run on a non-MSVC platforms would be useful - Boost likes to be *seen* to be
> portable.
>

I thought that was going to be a requirement in a later stage, after the 
library was accepted. Nevertheless, if somebody on this list is willing 
to test the library on a non MS platform and using a compiler different 
from Visual Studio, I will appreciated your help!

> The folder structure should be 'Boost standard' so that it is possible to
> use bjam to build and use
> Boost.Test.  (Do not hesitate to ask for help - bjam is the Outer Mongolian
> of computer languages
> and using it is a dark art!)

I'll look into it and make the necessary changes.

>
> You will first need to find a review manager (preferably a Boost
> contributor), and it will be
> necessary to have some reviewers too! (Reviewers need not necessarily be
> currently active Boost
> followers for a specialist library like this - expertise is the key thing).
>
> So you may need to find and drum up support from some potential (or better
> still, actual) users ?

The library was reviewed from a functional and conceptual standpoint by 
the creators of the DE algorithm and they seem to have validated it, 
maybe less so from a C++ standpoint though. I also received very useful 
feedback for further enhancements that I'll be adding in a future release.

As far as a boost review manager and other reviewers, I can only count 
on list members that are willing to volunteer some of their time for 
this purpose (please let me know if interested). I'll also try to gather 
some support outside of the list.

One of the nice things about DE is that it is relatively simple and 
generic, and it doesn't require any advanced or domain specific 
knowledge, so I'm sure anybody on this list could learn enough about it 
to be able to review the library, without spending too much time and effort.

Adrian Michel
www.tradery.com