# Genetic Algorithms & Genetic Programming
[**What is the difference?**](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3819977/what-are-the-differences-between-genetic-algorithms-and-genetic-programming) **Genetic programming and genetic algorithms are very similar. They are both used to evolve the answer to a problem, by comparing the fitness of each candidate in a population of potential candidates over many generations.**
**Each generation, new candidates are found by randomly changing (mutation) or swapping parts (crossover) of other candidates. The least 'fit' candidates are removed from the population. - peterjwest**
**Genetic algorithms (GA) are search algorithms that mimic the process of natural evolution, where each individual is a candidate solution: individuals are generally "raw data" (in whatever encoding format has been defined).**
**Genetic programming (GP) is considered a special case of GA, where each individual is a computer program (not just "raw data"). GP explore the algorithmic search space and evolve computer programs to perform a defined task.**
**johnIdol**
