PPT Slide
Given a potential solution vector to some problem: x
Any set of constraints on x: Ax ? b
And a means to assess the relative worth of that solution: f(x)
(which may be continuous or discrete)
Optimization describes the application of a set of proven techniques
that can find the optimal or near optimal solution to the problem.
Examples of optimization techniques:
Genetic algorithms, genetic programming, simulated annealing,
evolutionary programming, evolution strategies, classifier systems,
linear programming, nonlinear programming, integer programming,
pareto methods, discrete hill climbers, gradient techniques,
random search, brute force (exhaustive search), backtracking,
branch and bound, greedy techniques, etc...