What Are Genetic Algorithms (GAs)?
The genetic algorithm (GA) is basically a computer program which simulates evolution. Namely, a simulated population of chromosomes is randomly created and allowed to reproduce according to the laws of evolution with the hope that a very fit individual chromosome will eventually result. These chromosomes are actually (encrypted) candidate solutions to a problem, so when a good chromosome evolves, a good solution to a problem has evolved. How Do GAs Work? First you create a random population of chromosomes and test the fitness of each one with a special fitness function. For example, if you are trying to minimize the time required for a signal to travel through a network, each chromosome would represent a network configuration and the fitness function would determine the fitness of that network configuration. Although all the initial fitness values are probably very low (since the algorithm randomly created them), some are still higher than others. These chromosomes with higher fitness
