Avida: Evolution experiments with self-replicating computer programs

Abstract

Avida* is a software platform for experiments with self-replicating and evolving computer programs. It provides detailed control over experimental settings and protocols, a large array of measurement tools, and sophisticated methods to analyze and postprocess experimental data. This chapter explains the general principles on which Avida is built, its main components and their interactions, and gives an overview of some prior research with Avida. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2005.