Genetic Algorithms and Walsh Functions: Part I, A Gentle Introduction
David E. Goldberg
Department of Engineering Mechanics, The University of Alabama,
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
Abstract
This paper investigates the application of Walsh functions to the analysis of genetic algorithms operating on different coding-function combinations. Although these analysis tools have been in existence for some time, they have not been widely used. To promote their understanding and use, this paper introduces Bethke's Walsh-schema transform through the Walsh polynomials. This form of the method provides an intuitive basis for visualizing the nonlinearities being considered, thereby permitting the consideration of a number of useful extensions to the theory in Part II.
