Swarms you own this product

prerequisites
basic Python • basic mathematics
skills learned
swarms • modeling complex systems • particle swarm optimization (PSO)
Rod Stephens
1 week · 4-6 hours per week · INTERMEDIATE
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In this liveProject, you'll implement particle swarm optimization and the Boids algorithm to develop computational models to track flocks of finches. You’ll start with a simple flock simulator, then modify it to adapt to obstacles, take a different approach with Gravity Boids, and finally use a swarm-inspired algorithm to find the highest point on a complex mathematical surface. You’ll soon have an algorithm that can predict the movements of everything from flocks of finches to swaying concertgoers!

This project is designed for learning purposes and is not a complete, production-ready application or solution.

project author

Rod Stephens

Rod Stephens started out as a mathematician but discovered the fun of algorithms and has been programming ever since. Rod was a Microsoft Visual Basic Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for 15 years, has spoken to user groups and conferences, and has taught introductory programming courses. He has written more than 35 books including Essential Algorithms: A Practical Approach to Computer Algorithms Using Python and C# and Beginning Software Engineering, both of which include material related to this series of liveProjects.

prerequisites

If you know the basics of Python, you know everything you need to get started with these liveProjects!

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