Genetic improvement (computer science)

In computer software development, Genetic Improvement is the use of optimisation techniques, particularly search based software engineering techniques such as genetic programming to improve existing software. The improved program need not behave identically to the original. For example, automatic bug fixing improves program code by removing buggy behaviour. In other cases the improved software should behave identically to the old version but is better because, for example: it runs faster, it uses less memory, it uses less energy or it runs on a different type of computer. GI differs from, for example, formal program translation, in that it primarily verifies the behaviour of the new mutant version by running both the new and the old software on test inputs and comparing their output and performance in order to see if the new software can still do what is wanted of the original program and is now better.