Java Genetic Algorithm Package (JGAP)
Andy from forum.java.sun.com :
I wrote systems to do this for my dissertation last year to
determine the best optimisation methods that should be
used to do this given a set of constraints. In my opinion the
best way you should go about doing this by using a genetic
algorithm. It finds the best timetable solutions quicker than
any other and is less prone to get stuck on local mini/maxima
than other methods, such as simulated annealing and so is
more likely to reach the optimal value
So look at some GAs. You can easily assign penalties for the
solutions you system comes up with by altering the fitness
function of the given solution. You will need to look at how
you are going to encode the chromosome too - this is essential!
