Select Index

Getting Started

    Introducing the Genetic Algorithm and Direct Search Toolbox
        What Is the Genetic Algorithm and Direct Search Toolbox?
        Related Products
        Writing an M-File for the Function You Want to Optimize
            Example -- Writing an M-File
            Maximizing Versus Minimizing

    Getting Started with the Genetic Algorithm
        What Is the Genetic Algorithm?
        Using The Genetic Algorithm
            Calling the Function ga at the Command Line
            Using the Genetic Algorithm Tool

        Example: Rastrigin's Function
            Rastrigin's Function
            Finding the Minimum of Rastrigin's Function
            Finding the Minimum from the Command Line
            Displaying Plots

        Some Genetic Algorithm Terminology
            Fitness Functions
            Individuals
            Populations and Generations
            Diversity
            Fitness Values and Best Fitness Values
            Parents and Children

        How the Genetic Algorithm Works
            Outline of the Algorithm
            Initial Population
            Creating the Next Generation
            Plots of Later Generations
            Stopping Conditions for the Algorithm

    Getting Started with Direct Search
        What Is Direct Search?
        Performing a Pattern Search
            Calling patternsearch at the Command Line
            Using the Pattern Search Tool

        Example: Finding the Minimum of a Function
            Objective Function
            Finding the Minimum of the Function
            Plotting the Objective Function Values and Mesh Sizes

        Pattern Search Terminology
            Patterns
            Meshes
            Polling

        How Pattern Search Works
            Iterations 1 and 2: Successful Polls
            Iteration 4: An Unsuccessful Poll
            Displaying the Results at Each Iteration
            More Iterations
            Stopping Conditions for the Pattern Search

Examples

Using the Genetic Algorithm

    Overview of the Genetic Algorithm Tool
        Opening the Genetic Algorithm Tool
        Defining a Problem in the Genetic Algorithm Tool
        Running the Genetic Algorithm
        Pausing and Stopping the Algorithm
        Displaying Plots
        Example -- Creating a Custom Plot Function
        Reproducing Your Results
        Setting Options for the Genetic Algorithm
        Importing and Exporting Options and Problems
        Example -- Resuming the Genetic Algorithm from the Final Population:
        Generating an M-File

    Using the Genetic Algorithm at the Command Line
        Running the Genetic Algorithm with the Default Options
        Setting Options at the Command Line
        Using Options and Problems from the Genetic Algorithm Tool
        Reproducing Your Results
        Resuming ga from the Final Population of a Previous Run
        Running ga from an M-File

    Setting Options for the Genetic Algorithm
        Diversity
        Population Options
        Fitness Scaling Options
        Selection Options
        Reproduction Options
        Mutation and Crossover
        Mutation Options
        The Crossover Fraction
        Comparing Results for Varying Crossover Fractions
        Example -- Global Versus Local Minima
        Setting the Maximum Number of Generations
        Using a Hybrid Function
        Vectorize Option

Using Direct Search

    Overview of the Pattern Search Tool
        Opening the Pattern Search Tool
        Defining a Problem in the Pattern Search Tool
        Running a Pattern Search
        Example -- A Constrained Problem
        Pausing and Stopping the Algorithm
        Displaying Plots
        Setting Options
        Importing and Exporting Options and Problems
        Generate M-File

    Performing a Pattern Search from the Command Line
        Performing a Pattern Search with the Default Options
        Setting Options
        Using Options and Problems from the Pattern Search Tool

    Setting Pattern Search Options
        Poll Method
        Complete Poll
        Using a Search Method
        Mesh Expansion and Contraction
        Mesh Accelerator
        Cache Options
        Setting Tolerances for the Solver

Functions -- Listed by Category

    Genetic Algorithm
    Direct Search

Genetic Algorithm Options

    Plot Options
    Population Options
    Fitness Scaling Options
    Selection Options
    Reproduction Options
    Mutation Options
    Crossover Options
    Migration Options
    Output Function Options
    Stopping Criteria Options
    Hybrid Function Option
    Vectorize Option
    The State Structure

Pattern Search Options

    Plot Options
    Poll Options
    Search Options
    Mesh Options
    Cache Options
    Stopping Criteria
    Output Function Options
    Display to Command Window Options
    Vectorize Option

Alphabetical List of Functions

Printable Documentation (PDF)

Release Notes