Improving the Search by Encoding Multiple Solutions in a Chromosome

Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) [9, 10] are powerful tools used for solving difficult real-world problems. This paper describes a new paradigm called Multi Solution Programming (MSP) that may be used for improving the search performed by the Evolutionary Algorithms. The main idea is to encode multiple solutions (more than one) in a single chromosome. The best solution encoded in a chromosome will represent (will provide the fitness of) that individual. This special kind of encoding is useful when the complexity of the decoding process is similar to the complexity of the decoding process of chromosomes encoding a single solution of the problem being solved. Note that the Multi Solution Programming is not a particular technique, but a paradigm intended to be used in conjunction with an Evolutionary Algorithm. MSP refers to a new way of encoding solutions in a chromosome.