A bit-masking oriented data structure for evolutionary operators implementation in genetic algorithms

Abstract

 In the present paper a special bit-masking oriented data structure for an improved implementation of crossover and mutation operators in genetic algorithms is shown. The developed data structure performs evolutionary operators in two separate steps: crossover and mutation mask fill and a special boolean based function application. Both phases are optimized to reach a more efficient, fast and flexible genetic reproduction than standard implementations. The method has been powered adding a multi-layered, bit-masking oriented data structure and a boolean operation based control mixer, allowing special blended crossover operators obtained by superposition of the standard ones. Several examples of crossover schemes produced by these extended controls are presented. In addition, a special purpose crossover scheme, capable to process at the same time two distinct groups of design variables with separate crossover schemes is shown, in order to improve efficiency and convergence speed of some discrete/continuous optimization problems. Finally, to highlight further capabilities of the bit-masking approach, a special single-step version of an evolutionary direction operator is also illustrated.