About the Simulated Annealing Demo

This demonstration program takes a 1-D Function, FUNC, and tries to minimize it over the specified range. The function is written in ANSI Forth. It takes its input as a single floating point value at which it should be evaluated on the top of the floating point stack, the result replaces the input value on the top of the floating point stack upon return.

When you push the SUBMIT button, your data and function are sent to a Forth interpreter running on taygeta. The results are returned and converted into an JPEG graphics file which you can then view. The interface between HTTP and Forth is handled by a small program that manages the communcations. It also sets up an alarm(3), to prevent your Forth program from running too long.

The source code for the Simulated Annealing estimation is available through the main Simulated Annealing page. It uses a Cauchy cooling schedule to implement the "fast" simulated annealing technique described in Szu and Hartley, 1987.

The random number generator being used in the calculation is a 32 bit R250 generator.

The Forth compiler being used is Dirk Zoller's PFE

If you are unfamiliar with the Forth language. You can try Gordon Charlton's Introduction to Forth using StackFlow.

This demo was written to help demystify the subject of simulated annealing. Your comments and suggestions are welcome !

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