Automatically exploring computer system design spaces
Bobby R. Bruce · Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference Companion · 2022
While much research has focused on using search to optimize software, it is possible to use these same approaches to optimize other parts of the computer system. With decreased costs in silicon customization, and the return of centralized systems carrying out specialized tasks, the time is right to begin thinking about tools to optimize systems for the needs of specific software targets. In the approach outlined, the standard Genetic Improvement process is flipped with source code considered static and the remainder of the computer system altered to the needs of the software. The project proposed is preliminary research into incorporating grammar-based GP with an advanced computer architecture simulator to automatically design computer systems. I argue this approach has the potential to significantly improve the design of computer systems while reducing manual effort.