Combinatorial Optimization
In this chapter, you will learn how genetic algorithms can be utilized in combinatorial optimization applications. We will start by describing search problems and combinatorial optimization, and outline several hands-on examples of combinatorial optimization problems. We will then analyze each of these problems and match them with Python-based solutions using the DEAP framework. The optimization problems we’ll cover are the well-known knapsack problem, the traveling salesman problem (TSP), and the vehicle routing problem (VRP). As a bonus, we will cover the topics of genotype-to-phenotype mapping and exploration versus exploitation.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:
- Understand the nature of search problems and combinatorial optimization
- Solve the knapsack problem using a genetic algorithm coded with the DEAP framework
- Solve the TSP using a genetic algorithm coded with the DEAP framework
- Solve the...