Evolvable computing by means of evolvable components

This paper deals with an emerging type of computing - evolvable computing. In evolvable computing solutions to problems dynamically evolve during system's lifespan either as programs for a universal computer or configurations for a physical reconfigurable device. In this paper the roots of evolvable computing are indicated, a method is presented for routine design of evolvable systems by means of evolvable components and some consequences for theoretical computer science are highlighted. In particular it is shown why evolvable computing cannot be simulated on a standard Turing machine. As examples, two evolvable components - for image pre-processing and for evolution of small pipelined combinational circuits - demonstrate implementations in an ordinary field programmable gate array. © 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.