1 package net.bmahe.genetics4j.core.chromosomes;
2
3 /**
4 * Base interface for all chromosome types in the genetic algorithm framework.
5 *
6 * <p>A chromosome represents a single component of genetic information within a genotype.
7 * Different chromosome implementations encode genetic information in various formats such as
8 * bit strings, integer arrays, floating-point vectors, or tree structures.
9 *
10 * <p>This interface defines the minimal contract that all chromosome types must implement.
11 * Specific chromosome types extend this interface to provide type-specific operations
12 * and genetic operators.
13 *
14 * @see net.bmahe.genetics4j.core.Genotype
15 * @see BitChromosome
16 * @see IntChromosome
17 * @see DoubleChromosome
18 * @see FloatChromosome
19 * @see TreeChromosome
20 */
21 public interface Chromosome {
22
23 /**
24 * Returns the number of alleles (genetic units) in this chromosome.
25 *
26 * <p>The interpretation of an allele depends on the specific chromosome type:
27 * <ul>
28 * <li>For bit chromosomes: the number of bits</li>
29 * <li>For numeric chromosomes: the number of numeric values</li>
30 * <li>For tree chromosomes: the number of nodes in the tree</li>
31 * </ul>
32 *
33 * @return the number of alleles in this chromosome, always positive
34 */
35 public int getNumAlleles();
36 }