Evolutionary algorithms are bio-inspired algorithms based on Darwin's theory of evolution. They are expected to provide non-optimal but good quality solutions to problems whose resolution is impracticable by exact methods.
In six chapters, this book presents the essential knowledge required to efficiently implement evolutionary algorithms.
Chapter 1 describes a generic evolutionary algorithm as well as the basic operators that compose it. Chapter 2 is devoted to the solving of continuous optimization problems, without constraint. Three leading approaches are described and compared on a set of test functions. Chapter 3 considers continuous optimization problems with constraints. Various approaches suitable for evolutionary methods are presented. Chapter 4 is related to combinatorial optimization. It provides a catalog of variation operators to deal with order-based problems. Chapter 5 introduces the basic notions required to understand the issue of multi-objective optimization and a variety of approaches for its application. Finally, Chapter 6 describes different approaches of genetic programming able to evolve computer programs in the context of machine learning.
About the Author :
Alain PÉTROWSKI is Associate Professor in the Department of Networks and Mobile Multimedia Services at the Telecom-SudParis, Institut Mines-Télécom, Paris-Saclay University, France. His main research interests are related to optimization, metaheuristics and machine learning.
Review :
In general, Petrowski and Ben-Hamid display an in-depth understanding of several
optimization classes and their corresponding evolutionary algorithms, along with an
impressive ability to explain, illustrate, motivate, classify and codify. Although nobody
can "do it all" in a field as deep and wide as evolutionary computation, they have chosen
a pertinent subset and done a fine job with it. My own copy of "Evolutionary Algorithms"
became an instant go-to reference as I prepare for another semester of teaching.
( Genetic Programming and Evolvable Machines, December 2018)
