This repository is adapted from the PonyGE2 repository, which can be seen in src/PonyGE2. Important installation instructions can be found in the README there regarding general setup, and a link to the original repository is included as well. In the original repository there is a detailed wiki documenting how much of the GE algorithm works.

The python version used when running experiments was 3.5.2. Make sure to install the requirements in the requirements.txt file in both the src folder and the PonyGE2 folder.

Novelty experiments can be run by adjusting the novelty parameters in src/PonyGE2/parameters/progsys.txt.

Important parameters include:
SELECTION - Use "lexicase_and_novelty" to run a combination of novelty search and lexicase selection.
NOVELTY_SELECTION_ALG - choices are 'knob', to use a static knob; 'exp' to use an exponentially decaying knob, and 'adapt' to use an adaptive knob based on number of duplicates in population.
NOVELTY_FACTOR - when run with the NOVELTY_SELECTION_ALG set to 'knob', this will set the static knob value. If set to zero, don't use any novelty selection, if set to 1 use pure novelty selection.
NOVELTY_ALGORITHM - Choose one of five different novelty algorithms to use when novelty search is chosen. Valid options include 'genotype', 'phenotype', 'ast', 'derivation', and 'output'.
NOVELTY_BY_GEN: - Use the knob on a per generation basis, or on a per individual basis.

Novelty search may not work for all problem choices located in src/PonyGE2/grammars/progsys as some modifications have been made to the grammars. However, it should definitely work for Median, Smallest, String Lengths Backwards, Number IO, Negative To Zero, Vectors Summed, and Small or Large.