Mutation

Like crossover, mutation methods are customized for each of the different solving methods. The basic Recipe solving method performs mutation by looking at each variable individually. A random number between 0 and 1 is generated for each of the variables in the organism, and if a variable gets a number that is less than or equal to the mutation rate (for example, 0.06), that variable is mutated. The amount and nature of the mutation is automatically determined by a proprietary algorithm. Mutating a variable involves replacing it with a randomly generated value (within its valid min-max range).

To preserve all the original values, the Order solving method performs mutation by swapping the positions of some variables in the organism. The number of swaps performed is increased or decreased proportionately to the increase and decrease of the mutation rate setting (from 0 to 1).