Optimal Resource Allocation: With Practical Statistical Applications and Theory

CHAPTER 7

Genetic Algorithms

7.1 Introduction

Computer simulations of evolution started in the mid-1950s, when a Norwegian-Italian mathematician, Nils Aall Barricelli (1912–1993), who had been working at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, published his first paper on the subject. This was followed by a series of works that were published in the 1960s–1970s.

Genetic algorithms (GAs) became especially popular through the work of John Holland (see Box) in the early 1970s, and particularly because of his book Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems (1975).

John Henry “Dutchy” Holland (Born in 1929)

John Holland was an American scientist, Professor of Psychology, and Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is a pioneer in complex system and nonlinear science and is known as the father of genetic algorithms. In 1975 he wrote his book on genetic algorithms, Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems.

Holland wrote: “A Genetic Algorithm is a method of problem analysis based on Darwin's theory of natural selection. It starts with an initial population of individual nodes, each with randomly generated characteristics. Each is evaluated by some method to see which ones are more successful. These successful ones are then merged into one ‘child’ that has a combination of traits of the parents' characteristics.” ...