Hi there daniweb, i'm making a program that deals with a hill climber and genetic algorithm. I'm pretty much done writing the code but i'm having a headache of a problem....heres the header

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;


template<class T>
    class myVector
   {
   public:
      myVector();
      int get_size() const; 
      int get_capacity() const; 
      void push_back(T); 
      void pop(); 
      void resize(); 
      void print(); 
      T& operator[](int index); 
      ~myVector(); 
  
   private:
      T *basket; 
      int capacity, size; 
   };
 
    template<class T>
    myVector<T>::myVector() :capacity(2), size(0)
   {
      basket = new T [capacity];
   }
 
    template<class T>
    void myVector<T>::push_back(T element)
   {
      if(size < capacity) 
      {
         basket[size] = element;
         size++;
      }
      else 
      {
         resize();
         basket[size] = element;
         size++; 
      }
   }

    template<class T>
    T& myVector<T>::operator[](int index)
   {
      if(index >= size) 
      {
         cout << "Illegal index." << endl; 
         int i;
         cin>>i;
         exit(0);
      }
      
      return basket[index]; 
   }

    template<class T>
    void myVector<T>::pop()
   {
      if(size != 0)
      {
         size--; //decrease the size
         capacity = size + 1; //our new capacity is the size plus 1 extra space
         T *newBasket = new T[capacity]; //copy over the contents
         for(int i = 0; i < size; i++)
         {
            newBasket[i] = basket[i];
         }
         delete [] basket; //destroy our old array
         basket = newBasket; //set new array to desired variable
      }
      else
      {
         cout << "Vector is Empty." << endl;
      } 
   }

    template<class T>
    myVector<T>::~myVector()
   {
      delete [] basket;
   }

    template<class T>
    void myVector<T>::resize()
   { 
      T *newBasket = new T[capacity + 2]; //make new capacity increased by 2
      for(int i = 0; i < size; i++) //copy over the contents to the new array
      {
         newBasket[i] = basket[i];
      }
      delete [] basket; //delete the old array
      basket = newBasket; //set new array to desired variable name
      capacity += 2; //increase current capacity by 2
   }
 
    template<class T>
    void myVector<T>::print()
   {
      for(int i = 0; i < size; i++)
      {
         cout << basket[i] << " ";
      }
   }

    template<class T>
    int myVector<T>::get_size() const
   {
      return size;
   }

    template<class T>
    int myVector<T>::get_capacity() const
   {
      return capacity;
   }
   


class Individual
{
      friend class HillClimberAlgorithm;
      friend class GeneticAlgorithm;
      friend class UserInterface;
      
      public:
             Individual();
             Individual (int problem);
             Individual(int Algorithm,int Problem, double mutationChance, double mutationAmount);
             void SetProblem(int Problem);
             void SetAlgorithm(int Algorithm);
             void SetParameters(double mutationChance, double mutationAmonut);
             void SetParameters (double populationSize, double mutationRate, double mutationAmount);
             int GetProblem() const;
             int GetAlgorithm() const;
             void MathProblemsFitness();
             double GetFitness() const;
             double GetData(int i) const;
             void SetData(int i, double numbers) ;
             
  
             
            
                          
      private:
              int problem; 
              double data[30]; 
              int algorithm;  
              double mutation_chance;
              double mutation_amount;   
              double individualFitness;   
              
              
};
class UserInterface
/* 
The user interface class is used primarily for the menu of the program. The user
is presented with a menu and throughout the use of the program, loops through the 
menu until the user decides to quit.
*/
{
      public:
             friend class Individual;
             UserInterface();
             void MainMenu();
             bool get_number ( int& number );
             void SetDataResult(int,Individual);
             Individual GetDataResult(int);
             void SetTimeResult(int,int);
             int GetTimeResult(int);
                     
      private:  
             bool menuBool;
             int inputNumber;  
             int problemChoice;
             double mutation_chance;
             double mutation_amount;
             double mutation_rate;
             int populationSize;
             int choice1; 
             int algorithmChoice;
             int choice2;      
             int HighestTimes[3];
             Individual bestData[3];
             
};
class HillClimberAlgorithm
{
      public:
      
             HillClimberAlgorithm ();
             HillClimberAlgorithm(int problem, double mutation_chance, double mutation_amount);
             myVector <Individual> hillIndividual;
             void replace (Individual replacedIndividual);
               
      private:          
             double fitness;   
             Individual newIndividualA;
             Individual newIndividualB;
};
class GeneticAlgorithm
{
      public:
             GeneticAlgorithm();  
             GeneticAlgorithm(int problem, int populationSize, double mutation_rate,double mutation_amount);
             int BinarySelection(int populationSize);            
             void ShowResults();
             void Optimize(int problem, int populationSize, double mutation_rate, double mutation_amount); 
              myVector <Individual> mainVector;
              myVector<Individual> results;
              void replace(Individual replacedIndividual);
              myVector<int>iterations;           
              int checkAnswer();
              
      private:
              int firstRandom;
              int secondRandom;
              int parentA;
              int parentB;
              int iterationsNumber;
              
                                        
};

const double PI=3.14159265;

here's the implmentation

#include <cmath>
#include <cstdlib>
#include <ctime>
#include <string.h>
#include <fstream>
#include <sstream>
#include <stdexcept>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <ctype.h>
#include <vector>
#include <cctype>
#include <algorithm>
#include <iterator>
#include <iomanip>
#include <cstdlib>
#include <iostream>
#include <math.h>
#include "bpt0004_3.h"

using namespace std;
using std :: ifstream;
using std :: ofstream;
using std :: endl;

Individual::Individual()
{
}

void Individual::SetProblem(int Problem) 
   {
      problem = Problem; 
   }
void Individual::SetAlgorithm(int Algorithm) 
   {
      algorithm = Algorithm; 
   }
void Individual::SetParameters(double mutationChance, double mutationAmount) 
   {
      mutation_chance = mutationChance;
      mutation_amount = mutationAmount;
   }
int Individual::GetProblem() const
{
    return problem;
}
double Individual::GetData(int i) const
{cout <<"im in getdata";
       return data[i];
}
int Individual::GetAlgorithm() const
{
    return algorithm;
}
void Individual::SetData(int i, double result)
{
     data[i]=result;
}
Individual::Individual(int Algorithm, int Problem, double mutationChance, double mutationAmount)
{
 SetProblem(Problem);
 SetAlgorithm(Algorithm);
 SetParameters(mutationChance,mutationAmount);
 
 if (problem==1)
    {
     for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
      {
         data[i] = static_cast<double>(rand())/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(65.536-(-65.536) + 1) + (-65.536);
      }
    }
 if (problem==2)
    {
     for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
      {
         data[i] = static_cast<double>(rand())/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(2.048-(-2.048) + 1) + (-2.048);
      }
    }
 if (problem==3)
    {
     for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
      {
         data[i] = static_cast<double>(rand())/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(600-(-600) + 1) + (-600);     
      }
    }
    MathProblemsFitness();  
}

Individual::Individual(int Problem)
{
 SetProblem(Problem);
 
 if (problem==1)
    {
     for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
      {
         data[i] = static_cast<double>(rand())/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(65.536-(-65.536) + 1) + (-65.536);
      }
    }
 if (problem==2)
    {
     for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
      {
         data[i] = static_cast<double>(rand())/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(2.048-(-2.048) + 1) + (-2.048);
      }
    }
 if (problem==3)
    {
     for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
      {
         data[i] = static_cast<double>(rand())/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(600-(-600) + 1) + (-600);     
      }
    }
    MathProblemsFitness();  
}

void Individual::MathProblemsFitness()
{
     int upperLimit=1;
     double holder=0;
     double holder1 = 0;
     individualFitness=0;
     
     switch(problem)
     {     
     case 1:
          {
           for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
           {
            holder = 0;
            for(int k = 0; k < upperLimit; k++)
            {
               holder = holder+ data[k];
            }
            upperLimit++;
            individualFitness = individualFitness+ (holder*holder);
            }
           }
           break;
     case 2:
          {
           for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
           {
            holder = 0;    
            holder =(100*(data[i+1]-(data[i]*data[i]))*(data[i+1]-(data[i]*data[i])) + (data[i] - 1)*(data[i] - 1));
            individualFitness= individualFitness + holder;
            }
          }
     case 3:
          {
         for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
         {
            holder = 0 ;
          holder = (data[i]*data[i])/4000;
          individualFitness = individualFitness + holder;
         }
         individualFitness= individualFitness+1;
       
         for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
         {
         holder = 0;
         holder = cos(data[i]/sqrt(i+1));
         holder1= holder * holder1;
         }
         individualFitness = individualFitness - holder1;
      }
     } 
}
double Individual::GetFitness() const
{
       return individualFitness;
}

//------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HillClimberAlgorithm::HillClimberAlgorithm()
{
}
void HillClimberAlgorithm::replace(Individual newIndividual)
{
    double holder =hillIndividual[0].GetFitness();
    int index=0;
    
    for(int i = 1; i < hillIndividual.get_size(); i++)
      {
         if(holder < hillIndividual[i].GetFitness())
         {
            holder = hillIndividual[i].GetFitness();
            index = i; 
         }
      }
      
      for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
      {
         hillIndividual[index].SetData(i,newIndividual.GetData(i));
         hillIndividual[index].MathProblemsFitness();
      }
    
}
HillClimberAlgorithm::HillClimberAlgorithm(int problem, double mutation_chance, double mutation_amount)
{
       Individual newIndividualA(problem);
        fitness= newIndividualA.GetFitness();
      
       while( fitness < .1)
       { 
         int iterations=0;
              for (int i=0; i < 30; i++)
              {
           
               Individual newIndividualB (problem);           
               newIndividualB.SetData(i,newIndividualB.GetData(i)+newIndividualB.GetData(i)*((static_cast<double>(rand())/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(2-0 + 1) + 0))*mutation_amount); 
               double newFitness=newIndividualB.GetFitness();
             
             if (newFitness < fitness)
             {
               replace(newIndividualB);
             }
               
             iterations++;
               
               }  
           cout << iterations << endl;     
       }     
}
//------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GeneticAlgorithm::GeneticAlgorithm()
{
}
int GeneticAlgorithm::BinarySelection(int populationSize)
{
  firstRandom = static_cast<int>(( static_cast<double>(rand()))/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(populationSize-0 + 1) + 0);
  secondRandom = static_cast<int>(( static_cast<double>(rand()))/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(populationSize-0 + 1) + 0);
}

void GeneticAlgorithm::replace(Individual replacedIndividual)
{
     double temp = mainVector[0].GetFitness(); 
      int index = 0; 
      for(int i = 1; i < mainVector.get_size(); i++)
      {
         if(temp < mainVector[i].GetFitness())
         {
            temp = mainVector[i].GetFitness();
            index = i; //save the index of the individual
         }
      }
     
      for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)//over write that individual's data with our child's data
      {
         mainVector[index].SetData(i,replacedIndividual.GetData(i));
         mainVector[index].MathProblemsFitness();
      }
     
      iterationsNumber++; 
      if(iterationsNumber%5 == 0) 
      {
         temp = mainVector[0].GetFitness(); 
         for(int i = 1; i < mainVector.get_size(); i++)
         {
            if(temp > mainVector[i].GetFitness())
            {
               temp = mainVector[i].GetFitness();
            }
         }
         cout << "Current Best Fitness: " << temp << endl;
      }   
   }
void GeneticAlgorithm::Optimize(int problem, int population, double mutation_rate, double mutation_amount)
{
     parentA=BinarySelection(population);
     parentB=BinarySelection(population);
     
     Individual child (problem);
    
 //    myVector <Individual>mainVector;
     
     double upperBound=0;
     
     if(problem == 1) 
      {
                
         upperBound = 131.072;
      }
      else if(problem == 2)
      {
         upperBound = 4.096;
      }
      else
      {
         upperBound = 1200;
      }
       
         
    for(int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
      {
            
         int randomPick = 0;
         int selection=0;
         selection = static_cast<int>(( static_cast<double>(rand()))/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(2-1 + 1) + 1);
         if(selection == 1)
         {
            selection = parentA; 
         }
         else
         {
            selection = parentB; 
         }
         
         int mutationChance;
         double number=rand() / (double)RAND_MAX;            
         mutationChance=number < mutation_rate;
               
         if(mutationChance== 1) 
         {
          cout <<"before double";
            double newData = mainVector[selection].GetData(i); //heres the error why????
            cout <<"im in the optimize"; 
            newData = newData + upperBound*((rand()/ ( RAND_MAX) *(2-0 + 1) + 0)-1)* mutation_amount;       
            child.SetData(i,newData); 
            if(newData > (upperBound/2))
            {
               child.SetData(i,(upperBound/2));
            }
            else if(newData < ((upperBound/2)*-1))
            {
               child.SetData(i,((upperBound/2)*-1));
            }
         }
         else 
         {
             
          child.SetData(i,mainVector[selection].GetData(i));
         }
         
         
      }
      child.SetProblem(mainVector[parentA].GetProblem());
      child.MathProblemsFitness();
       replace(child);

}
int GeneticAlgorithm::checkAnswer()//check to see if the answer is within .1 of the correct answer
   {
      for(int i = 0; i < mainVector.get_size(); i++)
      {
         if(mainVector[i].GetFitness() < .1)
         {
            return 1;
         }
         else
         {
            return 0;
         }
      }
   }
  
GeneticAlgorithm::GeneticAlgorithm (int problem, int populationSize, double mutation_rate, double mutation_amount)
{
    UserInterface temporary;
   
    cout  << "i'm before the for";
    for(int i = 0; i < 10;  i++) 
      {
         int counter = 0; //restart the counter
         for(int i = 0; i < populationSize; i++)
         {
            Individual newIndiv(problem); //create a new individual object
            mainVector.push_back(newIndiv); //push it into the mainVector
         }
         int foundIt = 0; //if 0 we haven't found the answer, 1 we have
         checkAnswer(); //check to see if we were lucky enough to get the answer in our original population
         while(foundIt == 0 && counter < 50) //keep going until we find the answer, or until 5M iterations occur
         {
            foundIt = checkAnswer(); //check to see if we have an individual with the correct answer
           
            Optimize(problem, populationSize,mutation_rate, mutation_amount); //if not, proceed with breeding and replacing
         }
     
         int index = 0;
         double temp = mainVector[0].GetFitness(); 
         for(int i = 1; i < mainVector.get_size(); i++)
         {
            if(temp > mainVector[i].GetFitness())
            {
               temp = mainVector[i].GetFitness();
               index = i; //save the index of the individual
            }
         }
         
         results.push_back(mainVector[index]);
         iterations.push_back(counter);
         if(problem == 1)
         {
            if(counter < temporary.GetTimeResult(0))
            {
               temporary.SetTimeResult(0,counter);
               temporary.SetDataResult(0,mainVector[index]);
               
            }
         }
         else if(problem == 2)
         {
            if(counter < temporary.GetTimeResult(1))
            {
               temporary.SetTimeResult(1,counter);
               temporary.SetDataResult(1,mainVector[index]);
            }
         }
         else
         {
            if(counter < temporary.GetTimeResult(2))
            {
               temporary.SetTimeResult(2,counter);
               temporary.SetDataResult(2,mainVector[index]);
            }
         }
         for(int i = 0; i < populationSize; i++) //after the first iteration, clear out the vector
         {
            mainVector.pop();
         }
      }
  
      cout << endl;
      cout << "Top Individuals" << endl;
      cout << "************************************************" << endl;  
      for(int i = 0; i < results.get_size(); i++)
      {
         cout << endl;
         cout << "Best for individual: ";
         cout <<"i'm in the second for";
         for(int j = 0; j < 30; j++)
         {  cout <<"i'm in the nested for";
            cout << results[i].data[j] << "  ";
         }
         cout << endl;
         cout << "Fitness Level of Individual : " << results[i].GetFitness() << endl;
         cout << "Number of Iterations: " << iterations[i] << endl;
         
      }
     
      for(int i = 0; i < results.get_size(); i++)
      {
         results.pop();
         iterations.pop();
      }
      cout << endl;                             
}

//------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UserInterface::UserInterface()
{                            
}
int UserInterface::GetTimeResult(int index)
   {
      return HighestTimes[index];
   }
void UserInterface::SetTimeResult(int index, int numbers)  
   {
      HighestTimes[index] = numbers;
   }
Individual UserInterface::GetDataResult(int index)
   {
      return bestData[index];
   }
void UserInterface::SetDataResult(int index, Individual indiv)  
   {
      bestData[index] = indiv;
   }
bool UserInterface::get_number ( int& number )
{
  while ( !( cin >> number ) ) {
    if ( cin.eof() )
      return false;
    else {
      char ch;

      cin.clear();

      cout<<"Invalid input, please try again: ";
      while (cin.get(ch) && ch != '\n' );
    }
  }
  return true;
}
void UserInterface::MainMenu()
{  
      menuBool=true;
      Individual newIndividual;
      
      
      for(int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
      {
         bestData[i] = 5000001;
         HighestTimes[i] = 5000001;
      }
           
      cout   
             
             <<"                                                                             " <<endl
             <<"                         Function Optimization                                " << endl;
      
         
      while (menuBool=true)
      {
              
            cout <<"\n"
                 << "1) Choose Algorithm (Hill-Climber or Genetic) \n"
                 << "2) Choose Algorithm Parameters \n"
                 << "3) Choose Problem (Schwefel, Rosenbrock, Griewangk) \n"
                 << "4) Perform Opimization \n"
                 << "5) Show All Optimization Results \n"
                 << "6  Exit \n"
                 << "\n";
        
      problemChoice=0;
      algorithmChoice=0;
      int inputNumber=0;
      populationSize=0;
      mutation_amount=0;
      mutation_chance=0;
      mutation_rate=0;
    
      if ( get_number ( inputNumber ) )
         
      switch (inputNumber)
      {         
             case 1:  
                  cout << "Choose Algorithm \n"
                       << "1 Hill Climber Algorithm \n"
                       << "2 Genetic Algorithm \n";
                       
                  cin >> algorithmChoice;
                  
                  if (algorithmChoice==1)
                     cout << "Hill Climber Algorithm Chosen \n";
                  else if (algorithmChoice==2)
                     cout << "Genetic Algorithm Chose \n";
                  newIndividual.SetAlgorithm(algorithmChoice);
                  break;
                  
             case 2:
                  algorithmChoice=newIndividual.GetAlgorithm();
                  if (!algorithmChoice)
                     cout <<"algorithm not chose\n";
                  else if (algorithmChoice==1)
                  {
                     cout << "enter mutation chance: \n";
                     cin >> mutation_chance;
                     cout << "mutation chance: " << mutation_chance <<endl;
                     
                     cout << "enter mutation amount [0.3-1.0] (enter 3-100): \n";
                     cin >> mutation_amount;
                     mutation_amount=mutation_amount/100;
                     cout <<" mutation amount: " << mutation_amount << endl;
                  }
                  else if (algorithmChoice==2)
                  {
                     cout << "enter population size [2-50] \n";
                     cin >> populationSize;
                     cout <<"population size: " <<populationSize <<endl;
                     
                     cout <<"enter mutation amonut [.03-1.0](enter 3-100): \n";
                     cin >> mutation_amount;
                     mutation_amount=mutation_amount/100;
                     cout <<"mutation amount: " << mutation_amount << endl;
                     
                     cout <<"enter mutation rate [.03-.25] (enter 3-25): \n";
                     cin >> mutation_rate;
                     mutation_rate=mutation_rate/100;
                     cout <<"mutation rate: " <<mutation_rate <<endl;
                     }   
                  break;
                  
             case 3:
                  cout << "Choose Problem \n"
                       << "1 Schwefel \n"
                       << "2 Rosenbrock \n"
                       << "3 Griewangk" << endl;
                  cin >>problemChoice;
                  
                  if (problemChoice==1)
                     cout << "Schwefel Problem Chosen" << endl;
                  else if (problemChoice==2)
                     cout << "Rosenbrock Problem Chosen" << endl;
                  else if (problemChoice==3)
                     cout << "Griewangk Problem Chosen" <<endl;
                     
                  newIndividual.SetProblem(problemChoice);
                  
                  break; 
             case 4:
                  { 
                        cin>>problemChoice;
                        cin>>populationSize;
                        cin>>mutation_rate;
                        cin>>mutation_amount;
                         GeneticAlgorithm(problemChoice,populationSize,mutation_rate, mutation_amount);
                          
          
                  }
                  break;             
             case 5: 
                 
                  
                  cout <<"                    Hill Climber        Genetic \n"
     
     <<"Schwefel                getIterations                getIterations\n"
     <<"Rosebrock               getIterations                getIterations\n"
     <<"Griegwanzk              getIterations                getIterations\n";   
             
                  break;
             case 6:
             
                  cout << "Exit";
                  exit(1);
                  break;
                  
             case 7:
                  {
             
              
              HillClimberAlgorithm newHillClimber(problemChoice,mutation_amount,mutation_chance);
                  }
                  break;
                  
             default:
                   cout <<"Unknow Input\n";
                   break;
      }
      menuBool=true; 
      }   
}

and heres the main

#include <iostream>
#include "bpt0004_3.h"
using namespace std;

int main()
{
    cout.setf(ios::fixed);
    cout.setf(ios::showpoint);
    cout.precision(3);
    
    UserInterface newUserInterface;
    newUserInterface.MainMenu();
    
    return 0;
}

the error is on line 317 of the implementation and i cannot figure out why its giving me an illegal index?? please i've been trying to figure it out all day

int GeneticAlgorithm::BinarySelection(int populationSize)
{
  firstRandom = static_cast<int>(( static_cast<double>(rand()))/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(populationSize-0 + 1) + 0);
  secondRandom = static_cast<int>(( static_cast<double>(rand()))/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(populationSize-0 + 1) + 0);
}

You're trying to use a value returned by this method in a later calculation GeneticAlgorithm::Optimize() , but BinarySelection returns nothing (I could be wrong about this but since you have it returning int and actually send nothing back the compiler may be putting a default in there).

I get no errors on that line, but several other compiler errors and warnings do come up (Visual C++ 2008)

Have you in fact posted the latest version of your code that is giving you problems? Have you cleared all the other errors/warnings?

I changed it to

int GeneticAlgorithm::BinarySelection(int populationSize)
{
  firstRandom = static_cast<int>(( static_cast<double>(rand()))/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(populationSize-0 + 1) + 0);
  secondRandom = static_cast<int>(( static_cast<double>(rand()))/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *(populationSize-0 + 1) + 0);
  
  if(mainVector[firstRandom].GetFitness() < mainVector[secondRandom].GetFitness())    
         return firstRandom;     
      else
         return secondRandom;
}

but i'm still getting an "illegal index" in my program at line 317

The code will compile and work fine but will not run properly....
run the program
press 4 (optimize)
enter 2-genetic
enter 5 for population
enter 5 for mutation rate
enter 5 for mutation amount...

this leads to an illegal index =(

Your random number code is off by 1. If you want to get numbers between 0 and populationsize-1 just do rand() % populationsize . Make sure you seed it somewhere (only once) with srand()

jonsca, which one are you talking about? what line?

when you generate firstRandom and secondRandom in BinarySelection. Your random values permit index values equal to the population size which will overrun your array.

jonsca i changed it to this

int GeneticAlgorithm::BinarySelection(int populationSize)
{
    srand(time(0));
  firstRandom = static_cast<int>(( static_cast<double>(rand()))/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *((populationSize-1)-0 + 1) + 0); 
  secondRandom = static_cast<int>(( static_cast<double>(rand()))/ static_cast<double>( RAND_MAX) *((populationSize-1)-0 + 1) + 0);  
  if(mainVector[firstRandom].GetFitness() < mainVector[secondRandom].GetFitness())    
         return firstRandom;     
      else
         return secondRandom;
}

but i'm getting an infinitie loop? Your always a lifesaver jonsca, hopefully you can find out whats wrong. any ideas?

You're never updating counter in GeneticAlgorithm::GeneticAlgorithm()

I think you should change checkanswer to a bool

while(counter < 50) //keep going until we find the answer, or until 50 iterations occur
         {
            if(checkAnswer()) 
                     break;
//check to see if we have an individual with the correct answer
           
            Optimize(problem, populationSize,mutation_rate, mutation_amount); //if not, proceed with breeding and replacing

			counter++;
         }

Then prompt user for another 50 (unless these take the 5M iterations you were talking about before). Or isolate the Optimize function and see if it converges after a reasonable time.

jonsca, i changed it to

bool GeneticAlgorithm::checkAnswer()//check to see if the answer is within .1 of the correct answer
   {
      for(int i = 0; i < mainVector.get_size(); i++)
      {
         if(mainVector[i].GetFitness() < .1)
         {
            return true;
         }
         else
         {
            return false;
         }
      }
   }

and then update GeneticAlgorithm

GeneticAlgorithm::GeneticAlgorithm (int problem, int populationSize, double mutation_rate, double mutation_amount)
{
    UserInterface temporary;
   
    cout  << "i'm before the for";
    for(int i = 0; i < 10;  i++) 
      {
         int counter = 0; //restart the counter
         for(int i = 0; i < populationSize; i++)
         {
            Individual newIndiv(problem); //create a new individual object
            mainVector.push_back(newIndiv); //push it into the mainVector
         }
         int foundIt = 0; //if 0 we haven't found the answer, 1 we have
         checkAnswer(); //check to see if we were lucky enough to get the answer in our original population
        while(counter < 500000) //keep going until we find the answer, or until 50 iterations occur
         {
            if(checkAnswer()) 
                     break;
//check to see if we have an individual with the correct answer
           
            Optimize(problem, populationSize,mutation_rate, mutation_amount); //if not, proceed with breeding and replacing

			counter++;
         }
     
         int index = 0;
         double temp = mainVector[0].GetFitness(); 
         for(int i = 1; i < mainVector.get_size(); i++)
         {
            if(temp > mainVector[i].GetFitness())
            {
               temp = mainVector[i].GetFitness();
               index = i; //save the index of the individual
            }
         }
         
         results.push_back(mainVector[index]);
         iterations.push_back(counter);
         if(problem == 1)
         {
            if(counter < temporary.GetTimeResult(0))
            {
               temporary.SetTimeResult(0,counter);
               temporary.SetDataResult(0,mainVector[index]);
               
            }
         }
         else if(problem == 2)
         {
            if(counter < temporary.GetTimeResult(1))
            {
               temporary.SetTimeResult(1,counter);
               temporary.SetDataResult(1,mainVector[index]);
            }
         }
         else
         {
            if(counter < temporary.GetTimeResult(2))
            {
               temporary.SetTimeResult(2,counter);
               temporary.SetDataResult(2,mainVector[index]);
            }
         }
         for(int i = 0; i < populationSize; i++) //after the first iteration, clear out the vector
         {
            mainVector.pop();
         }
      }
  
      cout << endl;
      cout << "Top Individuals" << endl;
      cout << "************************************************" << endl;  
      for(int i = 0; i < results.get_size(); i++)
      {
         cout << endl;
         cout << "Best for individual: ";
         cout <<"i'm in the second for";
         for(int j = 0; j < 30; j++)
         {  cout <<"i'm in the nested for";
            cout << results[i].data[j] << "  ";
         }
         cout << endl;
         cout << "Fitness Level of Individual : " << results[i].GetFitness() << endl;
         cout << "Number of Iterations: " << iterations[i] << endl;
         
      }
     
      for(int i = 0; i < results.get_size(); i++)
      {
         results.pop();
         iterations.pop();
      }
      cout << endl;                             
}

which still caused another infinite loop, but after some debugging and alot of cout statement i found the problem to be at this part of the code

double Individual::GetData(int i) const
{cout <<"im in getdata";

       return data[i];
}

i'm assuming its not returning the right value for data. also if you change the while (counter < 5), and follow the above steps to run program you can see it doesn't produce the right output

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