org.moeaframework.core.spi
Class AlgorithmProvider

java.lang.Object
  org.moeaframework.core.spi.AlgorithmProvider

Direct Known Subclasses:

JMetalAlgorithms, PISAAlgorithms, StandardAlgorithms

public abstract class AlgorithmProvider
extends Object

Defines an SPI for algorithms. Algorithms are identified by a unique name and may be given optional Properties. The methods of the provider must return null if the algorithm is not supported by the provider.

If the provider can supply the algorithm but an error occurred during instantiation, the provider may throw a ProviderNotFoundException along with the details causing the exception.

To provide a custom AlgorithmProvider, first extend this class and implement the abstract method. Next, build a JAR file containing the custom provider. Within the JAR file, create the file META-INF/services/org.moeaframework.algorithm.AlgorithmProvider containing on a single line the class name of the custom provider. Lastly, add this JAR file to the classpath. Once these steps are completed, the algorithms(s) are now accessible via the AlgorithmFactory.getAlgorithm(java.lang.String, java.util.Properties, org.moeaframework.core.Problem) methods.

As algorithm names are often used in file names, it is best to avoid characters which are not compatible with the file system. It is suggested that names match the following regular expression: ^[a-zA-Z0-9()\-,]+$.

Constructor Summary

AlgorithmProvider()
Constructs an algorithm provider.

Method Summary

abstract Algorithm

getAlgorithm(String name, Properties properties, Problem problem) Returns the algorithm with the specified name, or null if this provider does not support the algorithm.

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait

Constructor Detail

AlgorithmProvider

public AlgorithmProvider()

Constructs an algorithm provider.

Method Detail

getAlgorithm

public abstract Algorithm getAlgorithm(String name,
                                       Properties properties,
                                       Problem problem)

Returns the algorithm with the specified name, or null if this provider does not support the algorithm. An optional set of properties may be provided to further define the algorithm; however, the provider is expected to supply default properties if none are provided.

Parameters:

name - the algorithm name

properties - optional properties for the algorithm

problem - the problem

Returns:

the algorithm with the specified name, or null if this provider does not support the algorithm