Title
The choice of the offspring population size in the (1,λ) evolutionary algorithm
Abstract
We extend the theory of non-elitist evolutionary algorithms (EAs) by considering the offspring population size in the (1,@l) EA. We establish a sharp threshold at @l=log"e"e"-"1n~5log"1"0n between exponential and polynomial running times on OneMax. For any smaller value, the (1,@l) EA needs exponential time on every function that has only one global optimum. We also consider arbitrary unimodal functions and show that the threshold can shift towards larger offspring population sizes. In particular, for the function LeadingOnes there is a sharp threshold at @l=2log"e"e"-"1n~10log"1"0n. Finally, we investigate the relationship between the offspring population size and arbitrary mutation rates on OneMax. We get sharp thresholds for @l that decrease with the mutation rate. This illustrates the balance between selection and mutation.
Year
DOI
Venue
2014
10.1016/j.tcs.2013.09.036
Theoretical Computer Science
Keywords
DocType
Volume
offspring populations,comma strategies,runtime analysis,evolutionary algorithms,theory,drift analysis
Journal
545
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
1
0304-3975
27
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.99
22
2
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Jonathan E. Rowe145856.35
Dirk Sudholt2106364.62