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What is the Difference Between Genetic

Algorithm and Traditional Algorithm
March 26, 2019 • by Lithmee • 4 min read

The main difference between genetic algorithm and

traditional algorithm is that the genetic algorithm is a type of
algorithm that is based on the principle of genetics and
natural selection to solve optimization problems while the
traditional algorithm is a step by step procedure to follow
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in order to solve a given problem.

A procedure is a finite sequence of instructions, where each

can be carried out in a finite amount of time. An algorithm is a
At-Home Fitness Redefined step by step procedure to solve a problem. There is an
Flexnest
algorithm to solve every task. Algorithms are especially
helpful when solving complex problems. General algorithms are also known as traditional algorithms. Genetic
algorithm is a special type of algorithm which is mainly used in areas such as Artificial intelligence.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Genetic Algorithm

     – Definition, Functionality

2. What is Traditional Algorithm

     – Definition, Functionality

3. What is the Difference Between Genetic Algorithm and Traditional Algorithm

     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms
Algorithm, Genetic Algorithm, Machine Learning, Search, Sort, Divide and Conquer, Traditional Algorithm

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What is Genetic Algorithm

Genetic algorithm refers to a type of algorithms that are based on Genetics and Natural Selection. It is similar to the
process of the species which can adapt to changes that occur in the environment and are capable of surviving.  In other
words, it is based on biological evolution.

Furthermore, this algorithm continuously modifies the population of individual solutions. At each and every step, it
chooses individuals randomly from the current population as parents and creates children for the next generation.
Going from generation to generation helps in finding the optimal solution.

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Generic Algorithm mainly uses three types of rules at each step to create the next generation using the current
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population.

Selection rules – It chooses individuals (parents) that contribute to the population of the next generation.

Crossover rules – It joins two parents to generate a child for the next generation.

Mutation rules – It applies changes to individual parents to create children.

Genetic algorithm helps to find the optimal solution or near-optimal solution to a problem. It avoids the usual time
required to solve a particular problem. Moreover, it is mainly used in fields such as research and machine learning to
solve optimization problems.

What is Traditional Algorithm

Traditional Algorithms refers to general algorithms we use to solve problems. It is a methodical procedure to solve a
given problem. There can be several algorithms to solve a problem. Therefore, it is important to analyze each and find
the required time, space etc. to select the best algorithm to solve the problem.

A traditional algorithm must be clear. It should have 0 or more number of well-defined inputs and 1 or more well-
defined outputs. It should also be capable of finding solutions with available resources. Furthermore, it should
complete the task after some finite number of steps.

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Following are some common traditional algorithms.

Search – These algorithms help to search a particular item in a data structure. (Linear search, Binary search)

Sort – These algorithms help to sort a set of elements in a specific order. (Bubble sort, Selection sort, Insertion
sort)

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Divide and Conquer – It refers to dividing a large problem into small subproblems and solving the subproblems
in order to find the solution to the original problem.

Difference Between Genetic Algorithm and Traditional Algorithm

Definition
Genetic algorithm is an algorithm for solving both constrained and unconstrained optimization problems that are
based on Genetics and Natural Selection while traditional algorithm is an unambiguous specification that defines how
to solve a problem. Thus, this is the main difference between genetic algorithm and traditional algorithm.

Usage
The specific use of each algorithm is an important difference between  genetic  algorithm and  traditional  algorithm.
That is; the genetic algorithm helps to find the optimal solutions for difficult problems while traditional algorithm
provides a step by step methodical procedure to solve a problem.

Complexity
Another difference between genetic algorithm and traditional algorithm is that a genetic algorithm is more advanced
than a traditional algorithm.

Applications
Genetic Algorithm is used in fields such as research, Machine Learning and, Artificial Intelligence. Traditional
algorithm is used in fields such as Programming, Mathematics, etc. Hence, this is also an important difference
between genetic algorithm and traditional algorithm.

Conclusion
In addition to traditional algorithms, there is a special type of algorithm called genetic algorithms. The main difference
between genetic algorithm and traditional algorithm is that genetic algorithm is a type of algorithm that is based on the
principle of genetics and natural selection to solve optimization problems while traditional algorithm is a step by step
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procedure to follow, in order to solve a given problem. Searching, sorting algorithms etc. are traditional algorithms
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while genetic algorithms are more complex and used in areas such as artificial intelligence and research.

Reference:
1. “Select a Web Site.” What Is the Genetic Algorithm? – MATLAB & Simulink, Available here.

2. “Algorithm.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Mar. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:
1. “Euclid flowchart” By Somepics – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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About the Author: Lithmee

Lithmee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Engineering and is reading for
her Master’s degree in Computer Science. She is passionate about sharing her knowldge in the
areas of programming, data science, and computer systems.

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