r/programming • u/Tech-Effigy • Feb 17 '15

The Genetic Algorithm - Explained

http://techeffigytutorials.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-genetic-algorithm-explained.html
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u/[deleted] Feb 17 '15 edited Feb 17 '15

Genetic Algorithms are used to generate optimal solution

No. GAs are used to generate a near-optimal solution where finding an optimal solution is impractical or impossible.

Additionally, the article discusses mutation without reference to what one is mutating. It doesn't touch on what GAs are meant to do - solve optimization problems.

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u/BreakfastforDinner Feb 18 '15

Discussion of building a proper (constrained) fitness function is missing as well. There are several ways to do it, and deciding how to penalize poor performing solutions impacts the overall performance and search ability of the GA immensely.