Problems demanding globally optimal solutions are ubiquitous, yet many are intractable when they involve constrained functions having many local optima and interacting, mixed-type variables.

The differential evolution (DE) algorithm is a practical approach to global numerical optimization which is easy to understand, simple to implement, reliable, and fast. Packed with illustrations, computer code, new insights, and practical advice, this volume explores DE in both principle and practice. It is a valuable resource for professionals needing a proven optimizer and for students wanting an evolutionary perspective on global numerical optimization.

From the reviews:

"This book is about an evolutionary method, called differential evolution (DE) ? . the authors claim that 'this book is designed to be easy to understand and simple to use'. Indeed, they have achieved their goal. The book is enjoyable to read, fully illustrated with figures and C-like pseudocodes ? . this book is foremost addressed to engineers ? . Moreover, those interested in evolutionary algorithms will certainly find this book to be both interesting and useful." (Panos M. Pardalos, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2006 g)