[GregoryFul]

Take for example, a computer program...
How long do you suppose it would be before I could randomly generate even a simple useful program?

I understand that genetic algorithms have generated useful programs, and even invented novel electronic circuit designs.

[grey_whiskers]

I understand that genetic algorithms have generated useful programs, and even invented novel electronic circuit designs.

Yes, but not ab initio, the existence of the computer and the genetic code to modify the other code; the clear and consistent definition of "better"; the weeding out of unsuccessful attempts without starting from scratch; etc. etc. are all implicit.

Not quite the same thing, though it illustrates several facets of evolutionary processes quite well.

Cheers!