Evolutionary Computation : The Fossil Record

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Summary: Book Review from Kumar Chellapilla
Review: "Evolutionary Computation: The Fossil Record" by David Fogel, is an excellent account of the early years of research in the field of evolutionary computation (EC). It is truly one of a kind and a must reading for any serious researcher in the field of EC.

In the various chapters of this book, one can find the original publications from which the currently popular evolutionary paradigms in EC, namely genetic algorithms, evolution strategies, evolutionary programming, and genetic programming, originate. Several of the early evolutionary methods that, in light of a performance goal, successfully optimize bit strings, real parameters, finite state machines, neural networks, fuzzy systems, and computer programs are presented.

By learning more about the history of the rapidly growing field of EC, one can better appreciate the power these techniques offer over conventional methods. Several of the seminal papers presented in this volume address in great de! tail the motivations behind coming up with an evolutionary approach wherein a conventional approach would incorrectly appear to be the first choice.

This book is not only useful for researchers interested in the history of EC but also to graduate students looking for new avenues of research to explore. Every chapter is a gold mine of early ideas in EC that were initially proposed but were either not implemented or left unexplored in sufficient depth due to computational limitations of computers during the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

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Summary: A rare piece of scholarship.
Review: A rare piece of scholarship by one of the leading scientists in the field. Evolutionary Computation has only recently matured to the point of being a separate discipline. The Fossil Record is a remarkable compilation of foundational research. Fogel does an excellent job of placing each work in its historical context. In many cases, he was fortunate enough to interview these pioneers of computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematical biology, engineering, cybernetics, and evolutionary theory. As such, he provides unique insights into the motivations, methodologies, and philosophies of some of the most original thinkers in science.

Russell W. Anderson, Staff Scientist, HNC Software, and Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation

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Summary: Superb reference, filled with clues to what lies ahead
Review: Between Lawrence Fogel's "Artificial Intelligence through a Simulation of Evolution" (1965) and David Fogel's *Evolutionary Computation: The Fossil Record* lies a single human generation--and multiple epochs in the geneaology of evolutionary computation by machine. In this superbly arranged collection, David Fogel presents a definitive history and prehistory of a field that is certain to dominate the computational landscape in the years ahead. Here are 31 landmark papers, meticulously referenced and introduced, that have weathered well and are certain to endure.

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Summary: Important book for Evolutionary Computation researchers
Review: David Fogel has done a painstaking job of examining the historical record of Evolutionary Computation (EC) and recording both early and seminal papers in field. As a lecturer on EC, I have found the book to be an important, intriguing and insightful supplement to the course.

I think the book's strengths are twofold. First, that the important ideas in EC "popped up" in many earlier guises. I find it fascinating to discover concepts like "schema theory" and "bloated programs" addressed in at least a primitive form in papers going back to the 1950's. EC may be a "new science" but it clearly has deep roots. Second (and a more general point), that ideas themselves are not all that is required to do science. Timing and other factors play a role in how ideas get pushed forward and recognized by other researchers. It is a point that would be well taken by young researchers in any field.

There are some things that could be improved. One could quibble about the selection of papers, though I think Dr. Fogel's selections are well justified. For readability's sake I think the formatting of some of the papers could have been redone. Furthermore some papers might have been better presented in an abridged format. Overall, however, I think the book's minor flaws are far outweighed by its contribution to the field. Serious students in EC should definitely look at this book.

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Summary: Excellent book on the history of evolutionary computation
Review: Evolutionary computation techniques (i.e., techniques based on the metaphor of natural evolution) constitute one of the most fascinating areas of computer science. Despite a long history of research spanning over several decades, evolutionary techniques are still of increasing interest because of their applicability to many real-world problems in science and engineering. However, many recent discoveries have their roots in the past (this is probably true in any discipline of science), and perforce, it is important to "look back" at some of the early developments in this field. Apart from the interesting ideas that emerged many years ago (e.g., artificial life, co-evolution, evolving computer programs, etc), a number of papers in this volume contain latent ideas that have not been fully exploited.

David Fogel accomplished a great feat by searching, reading, and selecting a collection of papers that constitute "the fossil record of evolutionary computation." This volume contains almost 30 important research articles that establish the foundations of evolutionary computation, including seminal articles written by Ingo Rechenberg, Lawrence Fogel, John Holland, Hans Bremermann, Nils Barricelli, Alex Fraser, Michael Conrad, and John Koza. All the articles were grouped carefully into meaningful units, each prefaced by an introduction written by David Fogel.

Researchers will find this volume to be an extremely interesting guide to the background of concepts of evolutionary computation. It is appropriate for anyone who is in search for such answers as: where did these techniques come from? where are they going? and what is their potential? But, above all, the book provides a unique experience of addressing the most fascinating question: "how is an idea born"? For this reason alone, this book is a must for any researcher in this or any other related field.

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Summary: Excellent book on the history of evolutionary computation
Review: The collection of papers included in this book not only serves to explore the origins of evolutionary computation, but also shows some contributions that could had been turning points in the field but that somehow never received enough attention. The comments of David Fogel preceding each chapter are refreshing and show a deep and extensive knowledge of the field. His meticulous work of selecting, editing and commenting this valuable collection of papers certainly deserves my highest admiration. I have decided to use some of the papers contained in this book for my Graduate courses and seminars on evolutionary computation because I think that these early attempts (either successful or not) to simulate evolution in a computer must be studied by any serious EC researcher.

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Summary: Indispensable for evolutionary computation researchers
Review: The story of how a Evolutionary Computation came into being is a fascinating one. Not because of mere historical curiosity, but because in the writings of the pioneers who shaped the field one might even glimpse the future. They are an excellent source of inspiration.

Those "fossil" are brought to live through Fogel's superb commentary. He not only fleshes out the "fossils", but also show how subsequent developments came into being.

This book is a MUST for any one serious about understudying the field of EC in it's depth and breadth (both is subject mater and historical development).

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Summary: Delightful compilation on the "evolution" of ideas.
Review: This is not your ordinary volume of collection of papers, this is a treasure chest for all those who truly want to understand the "evolution" of the ideas behind contemporary Evolutionary computation. David Fogel's thorough knowledge of the field and his passion for>tracking down the origins of the key ideas are evident in his introductions to each group of papers. Each time I have opened the book I have made delightful and often quite unexpected discoveries for myself. I wish to thank David Fogel for this outstanding work.