Genetic Algorithms

Genetic Algorithms - Tutorials

A Genetic Algorithm can optimally layout parts on a circuit board so they have the shortest connections between them. Shorter connections between circuit parts means smaller layout, less resistance and less capacitance.

Read this first: an introduction to genetic algorithms by the father of genetic algorithms, John Holland. This article explains the what and why of GAs.

This introduction to Genetic Algorithms includes definitions of many of the terms in the area. This introduction is more concerned with how they work. Naturally, Wikipedia has something to say about the subject as well.

Because genetic algorithms are patterned on DNA biology, here are some tutorials on DNA88: [ 1 | 2 ].

Another rather general introduction is John Koza's paper Survey of Genetic Algorithms and Genetic Programming. Koza wrote a somewhat more detailed paper for the Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology.

More comprehensive is the introduction by American Association for Artificial Intelligence (AAAI).

For those questions which the above introductions raise but do not answer, it's always worth a try to find an answer in The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to Evolutionary Computation, which gives the advice "Don't panic!" on the first page.

Finally, John Koza's company's website contains large amounts of information about genetic programming from the rather introductory level up through conference and scientific papers.

And what happens with all this? Here's a little peak at the future where computers using genetic algorithms can out-design humans. Except that they're already doing it.

Among the many applications that have been done with Genetic Algorithms are:

Design of antennas: More information is available from NASA, complete with pretty pictures.

Developing a faster Forumula-1 racecar

Create animation sequences

Identify the true author of the disputed Federalist Papers

Model the evolution of real organisms

Blogs aren't normally a direct source of information about modeling techniques, but this one on artificial invention shows how large the variety of applications that genetic algorithms are used for. Oddly enough, blog author Robert Plotkin is primarily interested in how artificial invention interfaces with law.

When all else fails, try the genetic algorithms search engine.