Posted: Apr 15, 2012 8:56 am
DavidMcC wrote:campermon wrote:The random mutations introduced into each generation provide novel patterns for the genetic algorithm to act upon. More 'grist for the mill'.
No, surely it is the variation that matters. Randomness is only the way it happens in biological evolution. In engineering, you can just as well get your mutational differences (from which to select) on a systematic basis.
No randomness is not optional. To systematically apply variations would require that you already know the optimal design. The only alternative to random variation is a brute force run through every possible combination. Combinatorial theory shows that the universe may not be around long enough to do that for even moderately complex systems.