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Objective function

As explained in Inside AI

An objective function is a function that assigns a value representing the performance or desirability of a candidate solution.

An objective function scores how well a candidate solution performs. In a genetic algorithm, it assigns each candidate a fitness score used to select stronger candidates for the next generation. section 2.5

A useful objective function is essential to evaluating generated solutions. The score helps guide the search, but a genetic algorithm may end with a satisfactory rather than perfect solution. section 2.5

How Inside AI covers it

How deep it goes
Defines it as a solution evaluator that assigns fitness scores, without specifying a formula for the evaluator.
What you can do after
Apply a chosen objective function to score candidate solutions in a genetic algorithm.
How it connects
Connects objective functions to genetic algorithms and fitness scores used to rank candidate solutions.

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This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Inside AI. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.