Commentary—When Genetic Algorithms Work Best

Abstract

Colin Reeves' feature article provides an insightful survey of many of the applications of genetic algorithms (GAs) to the solution of current problems in operations research. In some cases, GAs were successful, and in others they were not. Reeves correctly does not offer GAs as a panacea, but instead offers considerable insight into when and why GAs work. The difference between a successful application of a GA and an unsuccessful one often lies in the encoding. Five properties of an ideal encoding are listed.