New York times
BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY;
What's the Best Answer? It's Survival of the Fittest
LEAD: A Seattle company has developed a personal computer program that ''evolves'' the best solution among various models run on spreadsheets by financial planners for businesses. The new program, called Evolver, was developed by Axcelis Inc.. It works as an addition to a computer spreadsheet and finds the best answer by using principles taken from theories of natural selection and evolution.
A Seattle company has developed a personal computer program that ''evolves'' the best solution among various models run on spreadsheets by financial planners for businesses. The new program, called Evolver, was developed by Axcelis Inc.. It works as an addition to a computer spreadsheet and finds the best answer by using principles taken from theories of natural selection and evolution.
These types of programs are known as genetic algorithms, and some computer scientists think they will be able to use the software to solve a wide variety of complex problems beyond the capability of traditional mathematical techniques.
While algebraic equations used in other spreadsheets, including the Lotus Development Corporation's 1-2-3/G spreadsheet, produce a single answer based on a rigid set of rules, a genetic algorithm creates the computerized equivalent of the survival of the fittest. The computer produces hundreds or thousands of possible answers and a specially tailored master program selects the one that best fits the criteria the user has established.
A simple example might be using the program to find the best amount of lemonade to produce at a neighborhood lemonade stand while taking into account difficult-to-predict variables like the weather and traffic patterns.
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