BKINGNAL.RVW   960326
 
"An Introduction to Genetic Algorithms", Melanie Mitchell, 1996, 0-262-13316-4,
U$30.00
%A   Melanie Mitchell
%C   55 Hayward Street, Cambridge, MA   02142-1399
%D   1996
%G   0-262-13316-4
%I   MIT Press
%O   U$30.00 curtin@mit.edu
%P   205
%T   "An Introduction to Genetic Algorithms"
 
Mitchell has not produced a work that will be of assistance in learning to
implement genetic algorithms.  She has not attempted to do a complete survey of
the field.  What is presented here is a detailed review of a few, specifically
chosen, "interesting" projects.  As the author points out, interesting is a
subjective assessment, but the examples chosen are far from boring.
 
For those interested in getting started in the field, chapter five is entitled
"Implementing a Genetic Algorithm".  The final outcome of the material, though,
really only suggests that implementing such an algorithm is not easy, and is
likely to be problem dependent.  (If Mitchell's choices are in any way
representative, a strong background in statistical mathematics helps.)  Of
probably greater help is Appendix B; listing resources, including many on the
net; and the bibliography; lengthy, although unannotated.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996   BKINGNAL.RVW   960326

======================
roberts@decus.ca           rslade@vcn.bc.ca           rslade@vanisl.decus.ca
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