Woodsy writes:
If one can show that the description of the evolution algorithm is correct and if one can show that biological systems do exhibit reproduction with variation, and that selection operates, surely one should then expect evolution to occur. If these requirements are satisfied, is that sufficient for confidence in the ToE?
For some yes, and others, no.
Even if you could replicate data for the many variables (don't forget environment) over a time period and predict a new species that actually exists, you would run into the following argument:
1. That is one explanation, but not the only possibility.
2. Another possibility, as written in __religious document__ is that God/Allah/etc. created it.
The algorithm approach is similar to what I would call a pattern. I see a pattern of change in all aspects of life, not just biology (that's why I picked "ThingsChange"). For example, the pattern applies to business, culture, and religion, too. Hence, that gives me sufficient confidence without having to write a computer program (which uses languages that have evolved).