利用演化算法和人工生命模拟进化始于20世纪60年代 Nils Aall Barricelli的工作,后来被Alex Fraser扩展,他发表了一系列关于人工选择模拟的论文<ref>{{cite journal |author=Fraser AS |title=Monte Carlo analyses of genetic models |journal=Nature |volume=181 |issue=4603 |pages=208–9 |year=1958 |pmid=13504138 |doi=10.1038/181208a0 |ref=harv|bibcode=1958Natur.181..208F }}</ref> 。20世纪60年代和70年代早期,Ingo Rechenberg 使用演化策略解决复杂的工程问题,人工演化因此成为被广泛认可的优化方法。尤其是遗传算法,因为[[约翰·霍兰德_John_H_Holland|约翰·霍兰德]]的著作而变得流行起来<ref>{{cite book |last=Holland |first=John H. |year=1975 |title=Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems |publisher=[[University of Michigan Press]] |isbn=978-0-262-58111-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/adaptationinnatu00holl }}</ref>。学术界兴趣增长的同时,计算机能力的急剧增长使得这种算法可以被实际应用起来,其中包括计算机程序的自动演化。<ref>{{cite book |last=Koza|first=John R. |year=1992 |title=Genetic Programming: On the Programming of Computers by Means of Natural Selection|publisher=[[MIT Press]] |isbn=978-0-262-11170-6}}</ref> 演化算法现在被用来解决多维度问题,且比人类设计者生产的软件更有效,同时还可以优化系统的设计。 <ref>G. C. Onwubolu and B V Babu, {{cite book|url=https://www.springer.com/in/book/9783540201670|title=New Optimization Techniques in Engineering|accessdate=17 September 2016|isbn=9783540201670|last1=Onwubolu|first1=Godfrey C.|last2=Babu|first2=B. V.|date=2004-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Jamshidi M |title=Tools for intelligent control: fuzzy controllers, neural networks and genetic algorithms |journal=[[Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A]] |volume=361 |issue=1809 |pages=1781–808 |year=2003 |pmid=12952685 |doi=10.1098/rsta.2003.1225 |ref=harv|bibcode=2003RSPTA.361.1781J }}</ref> | 利用演化算法和人工生命模拟进化始于20世纪60年代 Nils Aall Barricelli的工作,后来被Alex Fraser扩展,他发表了一系列关于人工选择模拟的论文<ref>{{cite journal |author=Fraser AS |title=Monte Carlo analyses of genetic models |journal=Nature |volume=181 |issue=4603 |pages=208–9 |year=1958 |pmid=13504138 |doi=10.1038/181208a0 |ref=harv|bibcode=1958Natur.181..208F }}</ref> 。20世纪60年代和70年代早期,Ingo Rechenberg 使用演化策略解决复杂的工程问题,人工演化因此成为被广泛认可的优化方法。尤其是遗传算法,因为[[约翰·霍兰德_John_H_Holland|约翰·霍兰德]]的著作而变得流行起来<ref>{{cite book |last=Holland |first=John H. |year=1975 |title=Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems |publisher=[[University of Michigan Press]] |isbn=978-0-262-58111-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/adaptationinnatu00holl }}</ref>。学术界兴趣增长的同时,计算机能力的急剧增长使得这种算法可以被实际应用起来,其中包括计算机程序的自动演化。<ref>{{cite book |last=Koza|first=John R. |year=1992 |title=Genetic Programming: On the Programming of Computers by Means of Natural Selection|publisher=[[MIT Press]] |isbn=978-0-262-11170-6}}</ref> 演化算法现在被用来解决多维度问题,且比人类设计者生产的软件更有效,同时还可以优化系统的设计。 <ref>G. C. Onwubolu and B V Babu, {{cite book|url=https://www.springer.com/in/book/9783540201670|title=New Optimization Techniques in Engineering|accessdate=17 September 2016|isbn=9783540201670|last1=Onwubolu|first1=Godfrey C.|last2=Babu|first2=B. V.|date=2004-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Jamshidi M |title=Tools for intelligent control: fuzzy controllers, neural networks and genetic algorithms |journal=[[Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A]] |volume=361 |issue=1809 |pages=1781–808 |year=2003 |pmid=12952685 |doi=10.1098/rsta.2003.1225 |ref=harv|bibcode=2003RSPTA.361.1781J }}</ref> |