Simulated Evolution (continued)

We need a Selection criteria.

From a population of individuals, we wish to give the fitter individuals a better chance to survive to the next generation. We do not want to use the simple criterion "keep the best n individuals." It turns out nature does not kill all the unfit genes. They usually become recessive for a long period of time. But then they may mutate to something useful. Therefore, there is a tradeoff for better individuals and diversity.

A simple selection method is each individual has the probability

f(i) / sum_of_all_f surviving to the next generation

where f(i) is the fitness function value for individual i.