01.11.2014 Views

MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUES - LASA

MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUES - LASA

MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUES - LASA

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

177<br />

8 Genetic Algorithms<br />

We conclude these Lecture Notes by covering Genetic Algorithms, a form of stochastic<br />

optimization that can be used to learn parameters of several of the methods seen previously in<br />

these notes. This introduction to Genetic Algorithms is very brief and serves only as a brief<br />

overview of the main concepts.<br />

The term genetic algorithm refers to a model introduced by John Holland in 1975 [Holland, 1975].<br />

Genetic Algorithms are a family of computational models inspired by Darwin’s principle of<br />

selective evolution. The algorithms encode a potential solution to a specific problem on a simple<br />

chromosome-like data structure and apply recombination operators to these structures so as to<br />

preserve critical information.<br />

An implementation of a genetic algorithm begins with a population of typically random<br />

chromosomes. One, then, evaluates these structures and allocates reproductive opportunities in<br />

such a way that those chromosomes, which represent a better solution to the target problem, are<br />

given more chances to reproduce than those chromosomes, which are poorer solutions. The<br />

“goodness” of a solution is typically defined with respect to the current population.<br />

Genetic algorithms are often viewed as optimization tool, although the range of problems to which<br />

genetic algorithms have been applied is quite broad and goes beyond simple function<br />

optimization. They are used to find solutions to complex systems in domains such as:<br />

• Finances: Market predictors, risk evaluators<br />

• Business: Scheduling, time and storage optimization<br />

• Engineering: Dynamics of particles, fluids, etc.<br />

© A.G.Billard 2004 – Last Update March 2011

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!