This book discusses the mutual intersection of two fields of research: evolutionary computation, which can handle tasks such as control of various chaotic systems, and deterministic chaos, which is investigated as a behavioral part of evolutionary algorithms.

Evolutionary computation is the study of computational systems which use ideas and get inspiration from natural evolution and adaptation. This book is devoted to the theory and application of evolutionary computation. It is a self-contained volume which covers both introductory material and selected advanced topics. The book can roughly be divided into two major parts: the introductory one and the one on selected advanced topics. Each part consists of several chapters which present an in-depth discussion of selected topics. A strong connection is established between evolutionary algorithms and traditional search algorithms. This connection enables us to incorporate ideas in more established fields into evolutionary algorithms. The book is aimed at a wide range of readers. It does not require previous exposure to the field since introductory material is included. It will be of interest to anyone who is interested in adaptive optimization and learning. People in computer science, artificial intelligence, operations research, and various engineering fields will find it particularly interesting.

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.

The work described in this book was first presented at the Second Workshop on Genetic Programming, Theory and Practice, organized by the Center for the Study of Complex Systems at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 13-15 May 2004. The goal of this workshop series is to promote the exchange of research results and ideas between those who focus on Genetic Programming (GP) theory and those who focus on the application of GP to various re- world problems. In order to facilitate these interactions, the number of talks and participants was small and the time for discussion was large. Further, participants were asked to review each other's chapters before the workshop. Those reviewer comments, as well as discussion at the workshop, are reflected in the chapters presented in this book. Additional information about the workshop, addendums to chapters, and a site for continuing discussions by participants and by others can be found at http://cscs.umich.edu:8000/GPTP-20041. We thank all the workshop participants for making the workshop an exciting and productive three days. In particular we thank all the authors, without whose hard work and creative talents, neither the workshop nor the book would be possible. We also thank our keynote speakers Lawrence ("Dave") Davis of NuTech Solutions, Inc., Jordan Pollack of Brandeis University, and Richard Lenski of Michigan State University, who delivered three thought-provoking speeches that inspired a great deal of discussion among the participants.

The book addresses some of the most recent issues, with the theoretical and methodological aspects, of evolutionary multi-objective optimization problems and the various design challenges using different hybrid intelligent approaches. Multi-objective optimization has been available for about two decades, and its application in real-world problems is continuously increasing. Furthermore, many applications function more effectively using a hybrid systems approach. The book presents hybrid techniques based on Artificial Neural Network, Fuzzy Sets, Automata Theory, other metaheuristic or classical algorithms, etc. The book examines various examples of algorithms in different real-world application domains as graph growing problem, speech synthesis, traveling salesman problem, scheduling problems, antenna design, genes design, modeling of chemical and biochemical processes etc.

Genetic Programming Theory and Practice III provides both researchers and industry professionals with the most recent developments in GP theory and practice by exploring the emerging interaction between theory and practice in the cutting-edge, machine learning method of Genetic Programming (GP). The contributions developed from a third workshop at the University of Michigan's Center for the Study of Complex Systems, where leading international genetic programming theorists from major universities and active practitioners from leading industries and businesses meet to examine and challenge how GP theory informs practice and how GP practice impacts GP theory. Applications are from a wide range of domains, including chemical process control, informatics, and circuit design, to name a few.

Genetic algorithms are playing an increasingly important role in studies of complex adaptive systems, ranging from adaptive agents in economic theory to the use of machine learning techniques in the design of complex devices such as aircraft turbines and integrated circuits. Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems is the book that initiated this field of study, presenting the theoretical foundations and exploring applications. In its most familiar form, adaptation is a biological process, whereby organisms evolve by rearranging genetic material to survive in environments confronting them. In this now classic work, Holland presents a mathematical model that allows for the nonlinearity of such complex interactions. He demonstrates the model's universality by applying it to economics, physiological psychology, game theory, and artificial intelligence and then outlines the way in which this approach modifies the traditional views of mathematical genetics. Initially applying his concepts to simply defined artificial systems with limited numbers of parameters, Holland goes on to explore their use in the study of a wide range of complex, naturally occuring processes, concentrating on systems having multiple factors that interact in nonlinear ways. Along the way he accounts for major effects of coadaptation and coevolution: the emergence of building blocks, or schemata, that are recombined and passed on to succeeding generations to provide, innovations and improvements.

This edited book reports on recent developments in the theory of evolutionary computation, or more generally the domain of randomized search heuristics. It starts with two chapters on mathematical methods that are often used in the analysis of randomized search heuristics, followed by three chapters on how to measure the complexity of a search heuristic: black-box complexity, a counterpart of classical complexity theory in black-box optimization; parameterized complexity, aimed at a more fine-grained view of the difficulty of problems; and the fixed-budget perspective, which answers the question of how good a solution will be after investing a certain computational budget. The book then describes theoretical results on three important questions in evolutionary computation: how to profit from changing the parameters during the run of an algorithm; how evolutionary algorithms cope with dynamically changing or stochastic environments; and how population diversity influences performance. Finally, the book looks at three algorithm classes that have only recently become the focus of theoretical work: estimation-of-distribution algorithms; artificial immune systems; and genetic programming. Throughout the book the contributing authors try to develop an understanding for how these methods work, and why they are so successful in many applications. The book will be useful for students and researchers in theoretical computer science and evolutionary computing.

Evolutionary algorithms - an overview. Robust encodings in genetic algorithms. Genetic engineering and design problems. The generation of form using an evolutionary approach. Evolutionary optimization of composite structures. Flaw detection and configuration with genetic algorithms. A genetic algorithm approach for river management. Hazards in genetic design methodologies. The identification and characterization of workload classes. Lossless and Lossy data compression. Database design with genetic algorithms. Designing multiprocessor scheduling algorithms using a distributed genetic algorithm system. Prototype based supervised concept learning using genetic algorithms. Prototyping intelligent vehicle modules using evolutionary algorithms. Gate-level evolvable hardware: empirical study and application. Physical design of VLSI circuits and the application of genetic algorithms. Statistical generalization of performance-related heuristcs for knowledge-lean applications. Optimal scheduling of thermal power generation using evolutionary algorithms. Genetic algorithms and genetic programming for control. Global structure evolution and local parameter learning for control system model reductions. Adaptive recursive filtering using evolutionary algorithms. Numerical techniques for efficient sonar bearing and range searching in the near field using genetic algorithms. Signal design for radar imaging in radar astronomy: genetic optimization. Evolutionary algorithms in target acquisition and sensor fusion. Strategies for the integration of evolutionary/ adaptive search with the engineering design process. identification of mechanical inclusions. GeneAS: a robust optimal design technique for mechanical component design. Genetic algorithms for optimal cutting. Practical issues and recent advances in Job- and Open-Shop scheduling. The key steps to achieve mass customization.