title: How can I pause/serialize a genetic algorithm in Encog?
body: <p>How can I pause a genetic algorithm in Encog 3.4 (the version currently under development in Github)? </p>
  
  <p>I am using the Java version of Encog. </p>
  
  <p>I am trying to modify the <em>Lunar</em> example that comes with Encog. I want to pause/serialize the genetic algorithm and then continue/deserialize at a later stage. </p>
  
  <p>When I call <code>train.pause();</code> it simply returns <code>null</code> - which is pretty obvious from the code since the method always returns <code>null</code>. </p>
  
  <p>I would assume that it would be pretty straight forward since there can be a scenario in which I want to train a neural network, use it for some predictions and then continue training with the genetic algorithm as I get more data before resuming with more predictions - without having to restart the training from the beginning. </p>
  
  <p>Please note that I am not trying to serialize or persist a neural network but rather the entire genetic algorithm. </p>