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Genetic Algorithm

An adaptive Algorithm involving search and optimization first used by John Holland. Holland created an electronic organism as a binary string (``chromosome''), and then used genetic and evolutionary principles of fitness-proportionate selection for reproduction (including random crossover and mutation) to search enormous solution spaces efficiently. So-called genetic programming languages apply the same principles, using an expression tree instead of a bit string as the ``chromosome.''

See also Cellular Automaton




© 1996-9 Eric W. Weisstein
1999-05-25