title: Evolutionary computation.
abstract: Evolution does not require DNA, or even living organisms. In computer science, the field known as 'evolutionary computation' uses evolution as an algorithmic tool, implementing random variation, reproduction and selection by altering and moving data within a computer. This harnesses the power of evolution as an alternative to the more traditional ways to design software or hardware. Research into evolutionary computation should be of interest to geneticists, as evolved programs often reveal properties - such as robustness and non-expressed DNA - that are analogous to many biological phenomena.
authors.affiliation: Initiative for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), Department of Computer Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-1010, USA. foster@cs.uidaho.edu
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005075:Biological Evolution; D019295:Computational Biology; D004247:DNA
chemical_list: D004247:DNA