Fitness function

In evolutionary optimization, a "fitness function" is like a scoring system that rates how good each candidate solution (or 'individual') is at solving the problem. Think of it as a judge in a competition, evaluating participants based on how well they meet certain criteria. The higher the score, the better the solution. This function is crucial because it guides the selection process, helping to decide which solutions should be kept, discarded, or combined to create the next generation of solutions.