main doc page for EDO

edo/doc/index.h

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+/** @mainpage Welcome to Evolving Distribution Objects
+
+@section shortcuts In one word
+
+%EDO is an extension of %EO oriented toward Estimation-of-Distribution-like
+Algorithms.
+
+You can search for advanced features by browsing the <a
+href="modules.html">modules</a> page.
+
+@section intro Introduction
+
+%EDO is an extension of %EO, that facilitate the design and implementation of
+stochastic search metaheuristics. It is based on the assumption that those
+algorithms are updating a probability distribution, that is used to generate
+a sample (a population, in %EO) of solutions (individuals, in %EO).
+
+Basically, EDO decompose the <em>variation</em> operators of %EO in a set of
+sub-operators that are binded by a <em>distribution</em>. Thus, most of the
+representation-independent operators of %EO can be used in %EDO algorithms.
+
+Apart from choosing which distribution he want to use as a model, the user is
+not supposed to directly manipulate it. Using the same approach than within %EO,
+the user has just to indicate what he want to use, without having to bother how
+he want to use it.
+
+On the designer side, it is still possible to implement specific operators
+without having to change other ones.
+
+<img src="edo_design.png" />
+
+The two main operators are the <em>Estimators</em>, that builds a given
+distribution according to a population and the <em>Samplers</em> that builds a
+population according to a distribution. There is also <em>Modifiers</em> that
+are here to change arbitrarily the parameters of a distribution, if necessary.
+
+<img src="edo_distrib.png" />
+
+*/