noc-s18's Introduction

The Nature of Code, Spring 2018

Can we capture the unpredictable evolutionary and emergent properties of nature in software? Can understanding the mathematical principles behind our physical world world help us to create digital worlds? This class focuses on the programming strategies and techniques behind computer simulations of natural systems. We explore topics ranging from basic mathematics and physics concepts to more advanced simulations of complex systems. Subjects covered include physics simulation, trigonometry, self-organization, genetic algorithms, and neural networks. Examples are demonstrated in JavaScript using p5.js. Much of the class time will be dedicated to in-class exercises and self-study as much of the course is available online through a video series and textbook.

Info

Daniel Shiffman, Tuesdays, 12:10pm-2:40pm
All class dates
- note first class is rescheduled to Friday, Jan 26, 12:10-2:40pm
Office Hours

Mailing List

Nature of Code Google Group

Schedule

Week 1 - Introduction: Make-Up Date: Friday, Jan 26, 12:10 - 2:40pm

Week 2 - Build a Physics Engine, Jan 30

Week 3 - Oscillating Motion, Feb 6

Week 4 - Particle Systems, Feb 13

Week 5 - Autonomous Agents, Feb 20

Week 6 - Physics Libraries, Feb 27

Week 7 - Simulation Project Presentations, March 6

No class Tuesday, March 20

Week 8 - Genetic Algorithms, March 27

Week 9 - Neural Networks, April 3

Week 10 - Neuro-evolution, April 10

Week 11/12 - Final Project Proposals

Regular meeting April 17 for Final Project Proposal presentations
Individual Final Project Meetings Friday April 20: Sign up here!

Week 13 - User Testing Workshop, April 24

User Testing Info / Schedule

Week 14 - Final Project Presentations, May 1

Final Project Presentations / Documentation

Requirements

You are required to attend all class meetings and submit all weekly assignments and a final project.
Grading (pass/fail) will be based on a combination of factors:
- Attendance, participation in class discussion, and engagement in other students' projects (25%)
- Quality of assignments (50%)
- Final Project (25%)

Resources

All course videos -- If you would like offline access to the videos and/or just prefer to watch them somewhere other than YouTube, let me know.
Nature of Code Kadenze Course
Online textbook
p5.js code examples
Processing (Java) code examples
Other ports
Further Reading
Some assignments and materials based on Mimi Yin's Nature of Code course.

Contributors

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noc-s18's Issues

func is not a function

I'tried to use the mutate function and that appeared :
TypeError: func is not a function matrix.js:102:23

Algorithm doesn't work when all scores are zero

In your version of flappy bird, the score is assigned based on the distance traveled. Hence, there's no way a bird has score = 0 in a generation. But, in my version, I have assigned points based on the number of pipes crossed. And there's a good chance none of the birds make it in the first generation. Hence, the total score of the generation = 0;

https://github.com/shiffman/NOC-S18/blob/95b801d6e0cefeb9b8d2ac1997d0b68bb46d95d7/week10/neuroevolution-flappybird/ga.js#L75-L79

In this algorithm, since r remains constant the loop runs forever until the index > birds.

https://github.com/shiffman/NOC-S18/blob/95b801d6e0cefeb9b8d2ac1997d0b68bb46d95d7/week10/neuroevolution-flappybird/ga.js#L56-L59

Likewise while calculating the fitness, the scores will be divided by zero resulting in NaN fitness for all birds

How can these issues be solved without changing the scoring system ?

Run best button not working / high score not resetting

#issue detected in week10 flappy bird

run best button

i was attempting to run this on my phone. And when i clicked on the run best button it launches the best neural network yet and then it launches the training immediately right after that.

high score

when running the "best so far" the high score never resets itself even after the agent lost the game

Recommend Projects

nature-of-code / noc-s18 Goto Github PK