Artificial Intelligence

Simulating a Basic Genetic-Algorithm

Volume 3, Issue 2
Spring 1993

A genetic algorithm is a search technique that uses concepts from reproduction and natural selection to produce better solutions (children) from previous solutions (parents). Genetic algorithms are useful in a wide variety of applications requiring the optimization of a function, including some forms of machine learning. In this article, we will develop the functions necessary to implement a simple genetic algorithm and apply it to find the maximum value of a complicated function.