[mlpack] GSoC 2016 Project: Neuroevolution algorithms

[Marcus Edel]

Hello Nakul,

> I have gone through the literature and have a better understanding of the
> algorithms and also have been spending time with the source code. It took a
> little time but now I am acquainted with the source code. After understanding
> the ann code I went ahead to check out the perceptron code to see it in action
> but to my surprise perceptron although being a feed forward single layer neural
> network doesn't use fnn code, is there a particular reason for it, am I missing
> something?

At the time Udit implemented the perceptron there wasn't any code to implement
the perceptron using the FNN class.

> Also about the GSoC project I feel confident with CNE and NEAT but like you had
> mentioned the importance of test cases I would the priority would be to
> implement CNE with test cases and then move to NEAT.

Or the other way. Take a look at the pole balancing problem that could be a neat
test case.

I hope this is helpful, let me know if I can clarify anything.

Thanks,
Marcus


> On 13 Mar 2016, at 11:53, Nakul Gulati <nakgulati at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hey Marcus,
> 
> I have gone through the literature and have a better understanding of the algorithms and also have been spending time with the source code. It took a little time but now I am acquainted with the source code. After understanding the ann code I went ahead to check out the perceptron code to see it in action but to my surprise perceptron although being a feed forward single layer neural network doesn't use fnn code, is there a particular reason for it, am I missing something?
> 
> Also about the GSoC project I feel confident with CNE and NEAT but like you had mentioned the importance of test cases I would the priority would be to implement CNE with test cases and then move to NEAT.
> 
> Regards,
> Nakul Gulati
> Website <https://nakulgulati.com/> || LinkedIn <http://in.linkedin.com/in/nakulgulati> || GitHub <https://github.com/nakulgulati/>
> 
> On Thu, Mar 10, 2016 at 7:17 PM, Marcus Edel <marcus.edel at fu-berlin.de <mailto:marcus.edel at fu-berlin.de>> wrote:
> Hello Nakul,
> 
> It is a good decision to start with something easy that could be CNE or NEAT.
> Afterwards, we can use that as a baseline for comparison with other
> implementation. You should keep in mind, that you have to write tests, for every
> evolution algorithm you write, and that often takes more time than the actual
> implementation. Anyway, this year google made draft proposals part of the
> proposal workflow. So we can comment on your timeline etc. and give feedback
> once you submitted your application. Also take a look at:
> http://write.flossmanuals.net/gsocstudentguide/ <http://write.flossmanuals.net/gsocstudentguide/>
> 
> I hope this is helpful. Let me know if I can clarify anything,
> 
> Thanks,
> Marcus
> 
>> On 10 Mar 2016, at 04:12, Nakul Gulati <nakgulati at gmail.com <mailto:nakgulati at gmail.com>> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi,
>> 
>> I am a final year Computer Science and Engineering student. I am interested in contributing to the project Neuroevolution algorithms as part of GSoC 2016. Some of the courses completed which are relevant to this project are: Data Structures and Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Soft Computing and Artificial Neural Networks.
>> 
>> In order to get better understanding about the project and mlpack, the following steps were taken:
>> Compiled and tested mlpack on OS X
>> Compiled and tested nes emulator communication code: during this I ended up crashing the emulator hosted on mario.urgs.org <http://mario.urgs.org/> 4561, link to issue <https://github.com/zoq/nes/issues/1>. Which was promptly fixed by Marcus Edel, big shout out to him.
>> Currently I am studying the reading material, starting with the CNE algorithm.
>> 
>> For scope of GSoC project I propose to start with the implementation of the CNE algorithm at first and then move to a second (name would be specified soon) if time permits.
>> 
>> I have little trouble setting up an exact timeline for the project. I would love to hear your insight about the approach and timeline and if you think what I propose is realistic.
>> 
>> -- 
>> Regards,
>> Nakul Gulati
>> Website <https://nakulgulati.com/> || LinkedIn <http://in.linkedin.com/in/nakulgulati> || GitHub <https://github.com/nakulgulati/>_______________________________________________
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>> mlpack at cc.gatech.edu <mailto:mlpack at cc.gatech.edu>
>> https://mailman.cc.gatech.edu/mailman/listinfo/mlpack <https://mailman.cc.gatech.edu/mailman/listinfo/mlpack>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Regards,
> Nakul Gulati
> Website <https://nakulgulati.com/> || LinkedIn <http://in.linkedin.com/in/nakulgulati> || GitHub <https://github.com/nakulgulati/>
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