The Evolutionary Model
Goal: To produce an individual having certain characteristics. (A “most fit” individual.)
Method: Create a diverse population of individuals. Provide a means for adding to the population. Provide a means to weed out less fit individuals. Let the population evolve.
Mutation: Random small change to the genetic blueprint for an individual.
Crossover: Formation of a genetic blueprint for a new individual by splicing together a piece from individual A with a piece from individual B.
Fitness function: A function that maps each individual to a scalar fitness value.