A search and optimization algorithm inspired by natural selection, that maintains a population of candidate solutions and repeatedly selects, recombines and mutates them across generations, favoring fitter candidates, to evolve toward a good solution.
Facts
Core PrincipleA metaheuristic inspired by natural selection that evolves a population of candidate solutions toward better ones over successive generations, using selection, crossover and mutation operators to generate high-quality solutions to optimization and search problems. 1 Connections
Associated With
In Field
Invented
John Henry Holland invented the genetic algorithm, formalized in his 1975 book Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Genetic algorithm
Wikimedia FoundationHistory section, Holland paragraph
Genetic algorithms in particular became popular through the work of John Holland in the early 1970s, and particularly his book Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems (1975).
Lead section, first paragraph
Genetic algorithms are commonly used to generate high-quality solutions to optimization and search problems via biologically inspired operators such as selection, crossover, and mutation.
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