Genetic Algorithms & Genetic Programming

What is the difference? Genetic programming and genetic algorithms are very similar. They are both used to evolve the answer to a problem, by comparing the fitness of each candidate in a population of potential candidates over many generations.

Each generation, new candidates are found by randomly changing (mutation) or swapping parts (crossover) of other candidates. The least 'fit' candidates are removed from the population. - peterjwest

Genetic algorithms (GA) are search algorithms that mimic the process of natural evolution, where each individual is a candidate solution: individuals are generally "raw data" (in whatever encoding format has been defined).

Genetic programming (GP) is considered a special case of GA, where each individual is a computer program (not just "raw data"). GP explore the algorithmic search space and evolve computer programs to perform a defined task.

johnIdol