Here is my contributions to the evolution theory. Allthough I´m not an evolution professional, my current occupation as computer programmer gave me this Idea. I call it the "Need for both male and female species" theory.

Let´s start with a bit of object oriented programming, named multiple inheritance:

Object A has one method named AA. AA performs a simple calculation, like: 1+1. Therefor method AA will return the value 2.

If we create an Object B and let it inherits its behavior from Object A, Object B will also have a method AA which returns the value 2.

We also decide to create an Object C, which also inherits from Object A. But instead of using method AA from Object A, we decide to override this method and create a method AA in Object C which return the value 7.

So far no problem.

The problem starts with multiple inheritance, that is letting one object inherit from two other objects. Lets create an Object D which inherits from both Object B and Object C. This is where to problem starts, because there is NO WAY of telling what values method AA from Object D will return? Will it be 2 (as in Object B) or 7 (Object C).

There is only one way to avoid problems arising from multiple inheritance (aside from avoiding it): Some how either Object B or Object C must be dominant, and Object D will only inherit dominant methods and methods with a unique occurance. A consequence of the above is that Objects can only inherit from Object with a different dominance structure (like male or female).

To say it simplistic: producing a child (Object which inherits) we need a male and a female. Two males can´t produce a child, neither can two females.

Why Evolution needs mulitple inheritance: In order for species to be able to evolve new characteristics (methods) must be added. If all children where exact copies of there parents there wouldn´t be any evolution. Therefor children must inherit from two or more parents, but during the creation of the child there has to be decided which feature will be taken from which parent. Hence: decide dominance.

The only thing I´m still wondering about is why nature only has two types of species (male and female). By using dominace I can let a child inherit from more then two parents. So why doesn´t nature do so? (Create a new type within the species?)

Gerwin

• Re: Programming and Evolution - daViper - August 5, 1999 - 19:34 UTC