Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is based on three basic principles: reproduction, mutation and selection. These fundamental principles are all that is needed to create the near infinite variety of life that we can see now. Reproduction, as described in the definition of life, is the ability to create offspring. Reiterative computer programs make copies [...]
Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is based on three basic principles: reproduction, mutation and selection. These fundamental principles are all that is needed to create the near infinite variety of life that we can see now.
Reproduction, as described in the definition of life, is the ability to create offspring. Reiterative computer programs make copies of their components parts, life forms propagate whether it is from a single parent such as cell division (asexual) or two different parent organisms (sexual).
Mutation occurs when the offspring of an object is non-identical to it’s parent. If the offspring of an object were identical, then no diversity could occur within a population to factor in the final element, selection.
Selection is where particular objects in a given population are selected to survive based on particular attributes which they have either mutated or inherited from their parents that either other objects do not have.
The evolution of objects requires all three elements to occur. I use the term object as evolution theory can be applied to many different disciplines, notably computer science where programs that evolve are now common place.