Genetic Algorithms and evolution strategies: Similarities and differences

It is shown, that both Evolution Strategies and Genetic Algorithms are identical with respect to their major working scheme, but nevertheless they exhibit significant differences withrespect to the details of the selection scheme, the amount of the genetic representation and, especially, the self-adaptation of strategy parameters.

Abstract

Evolution Strategies (ESs) and Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are compared in a formal as well as in an experimental way. It is shown, that both are identical with respect to their major working scheme, but nevertheless they exhibit significant differences with respect to the details of the selection scheme, the amount of the genetic representation and, especially, the self-adaptation of strategy parameters.