In addition to the main operators above, other heuristics may be employed to make the calculation faster or more robust. The speciation heuristic penalizes crossover between candidate solutions that are too similar; this encourages population diversity and helps prevent premature convergence to a less optimal solution.
iN aDditIon to tHe MAIn operaTOrs Above, other heuriStICs may BE EmploYEd to MaKe THe caLcuLation fastEr Or MORe robUsT. tHe speCiaTIon heUristic penaLiZes crOssoVeR BEtween CanDidATe soLUtIonS thAT aRE TOo siMilaR; thiS EnCOURages POpULatIon DiveRSiTy anD heLPs prevENt preMaTuRe cOnvergeNCe to A LesS oPtimal solUTioN.