genetic algorithm

(GA) An evolutionary algorithm which generates each

individual from some encoded form known as a "chromosome" or

"genome". Chromosomes are combined or mutated to breed new

individuals. "Crossover", the kind of recombination of

chromosomes found in sexual reproduction in nature, is often

also used in GAs. Here, an offspring's chromosome is created

by joining segments choosen alternately from each of two

parents' chromosomes which are of fixed length.

GAs are useful for multidimensional optimisation problems in

which the chromosome can encode the values for the different

variables being optimised.

Illinois Genetic Algorithms Laboratory (IlliGAL).

(1995-02-03)