* This book deals with the fundamentals of genetic algorithms and their applications in a variety of different areas of engineering and science * Most significant update to the second edition is the MATLAB codes that accompany the text * Provides a thorough discussion of hybrid genetic algorithms * Features more examples than first edition

Rapid developments in the field of genetic algorithms along with the popularity of the first edition precipitated this completely revised, thoroughly updated second edition of The Practical Handbook of Genetic Algorithms. Like its predecessor, this edition helps practitioners stay up to date on recent developments in the field and provides material

Genetic Algorithms and Genetic Programming: Modern Concepts and Practical Applications discusses algorithmic developments in the context of genetic algorithms (GAs) and genetic programming (GP). It applies the algorithms to significant combinatorial optimization problems and describes structure identification using HeuristicLab as a platform for al

Genetic algorithms have been used in science and engineering as adaptive algorithms for solving practical problems and as computational models of natural evolutionary systems. This brief, accessible introduction describes some of the most interesting research in the field and also enables readers to implement and experiment with genetic algorithms on their own. It focuses in depth on a small set of important and interesting topics—particularly in machine learning, scientific modeling, and artificial life—and reviews a broad span of research, including the work of Mitchell and her colleagues. The descriptions of applications and modeling projects stretch beyond the strict boundaries of computer science to include dynamical systems theory, game theory, molecular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, and population genetics, underscoring the exciting "general purpose" nature of genetic algorithms as search methods that can be employed across disciplines. An Introduction to Genetic Algorithms is accessible to students and researchers in any scientific discipline. It includes many thought and computer exercises that build on and reinforce the reader's understanding of the text. The first chapter introduces genetic algorithms and their terminology and describes two provocative applications in detail. The second and third chapters look at the use of genetic algorithms in machine learning (computer programs, data analysis and prediction, neural networks) and in scientific models (interactions among learning, evolution, and culture; sexual selection; ecosystems; evolutionary activity). Several approaches to the theory of genetic algorithms are discussed in depth in the fourth chapter. The fifth chapter takes up implementation, and the last chapter poses some currently unanswered questions and surveys prospects for the future of evolutionary computation.

This book is the result of several years of research trying to better characterize parallel genetic algorithms (pGAs) as a powerful tool for optimization, search, and learning. Readers can learn how to solve complex tasks by reducing their high computational times. Dealing with two scientific fields (parallelism and GAs) is always difficult, and the book seeks at gracefully introducing from basic concepts to advanced topics. The presentation is structured in three parts. The first one is targeted to the algorithms themselves, discussing their components, the physical parallelism, and best practices in using and evaluating them. A second part deals with the theory for pGAs, with an eye on theory-to-practice issues. A final third part offers a very wide study of pGAs as practical problem solvers, addressing domains such as natural language processing, circuits design, scheduling, and genomics. This volume will be helpful both for researchers and practitioners. The first part shows pGAs to either beginners and mature researchers looking for a unified view of the two fields: GAs and parallelism. The second part partially solves (and also opens) new investigation lines in theory of pGAs. The third part can be accessed independently for readers interested in applications. The result is an excellent source of information on the state of the art and future developments in parallel GAs.

The last few years have seen important advances in the use ofgenetic algorithms to address challenging optimization problems inindustrial engineering. Genetic Algorithms and Engineering Designis the only book to cover the most recent technologies and theirapplication to manufacturing, presenting a comprehensive and fullyup-to-date treatment of genetic algorithms in industrialengineering and operations research. Beginning with a tutorial on genetic algorithm fundamentals andtheir use in solving constrained and combinatorial optimizationproblems, the book applies these techniques to problems in specificareas--sequencing, scheduling and production plans, transportationand vehicle routing, facility layout, location-allocation, andmore. Each topic features a clearly written problem description,mathematical model, and summary of conventional heuristicalgorithms. All algorithms are explained in intuitive, rather thanhighly-technical, language and are reinforced with illustrativefigures and numerical examples. Written by two internationally acknowledged experts in the field,Genetic Algorithms and Engineering Design features originalmaterial on the foundation and application of genetic algorithms,and also standardizes the terms and symbols used in othersources--making this complex subject truly accessible to thebeginner as well as to the more advanced reader. Ideal for both self-study and classroom use, this self-containedreference provides indispensable state-of-the-art guidance toprofessionals and students working in industrial engineering,management science, operations research, computer science, andartificial intelligence. The only comprehensive, state-of-the-arttreatment available on the use of genetic algorithms in industrialengineering and operations research . . . Written by internationally recognized experts in the field ofgenetic algorithms and artificial intelligence, Genetic Algorithmsand Engineering Design provides total coverage of currenttechnologies and their application to manufacturing systems.Incorporating original material on the foundation and applicationof genetic algorithms, this unique resource also standardizes theterms and symbols used in other sources--making this complexsubject truly accessible to students as well as experiencedprofessionals. Designed for clarity and ease of use, thisself-contained reference: * Provides a comprehensive survey of selection strategies, penaltytechniques, and genetic operators used for constrained andcombinatorial optimization problems * Shows how to use genetic algorithms to make production schedules,solve facility/location problems, make transportation/vehiclerouting plans, enhance system reliability, and much more * Contains detailed numerical examples, plus more than 160auxiliary figures to make solution procedures transparent andunderstandable