FitnessFunction.java

package aima.core.search.local;

/**
 * Artificial Intelligence A Modern Approach (3rd Edition): page 127.<br>
 * <br>
 * Each state is rated by the objective function, or (in Genetic Algorithm
 * terminology) the fitness function. A fitness function should return higher
 * values for better states.
 * 
 * @author Ciaran O'Reilly
 * 
 * @param <A>
 *            the type of the alphabet used in the representation of the
 *            individuals in the population (this is to provide flexibility in
 *            terms of how a problem can be encoded).
 */
public interface FitnessFunction<A> {

	/**
	 * 
	 * @param individual
	 *            the individual whose fitness is to be accessed.
	 * @return the individual's fitness value (the higher the better).
	 */
	double getValue(Individual<A> individual);
}