Päämäärähaku

Päämäärähaku, meaning goal-seeking or goal-directed search in Finnish, refers to a problem-solving strategy where an agent or system attempts to reach a specific target state from an initial state. This approach is commonly employed in artificial intelligence, robotics, and game theory. The core idea is to define a desired outcome and then devise a sequence of actions that will lead to that outcome.

Unlike simple or undirected searches, päämäärähaku is characterized by its focus on the end goal. The search process is guided by heuristics or evaluation functions that estimate the "distance" or "cost" to the goal. Algorithms like A* search, best-first search, and hill climbing are examples of methods that implement päämäärähaku principles. These algorithms typically involve exploring a state space, which represents all possible configurations of the problem, and evaluating different paths or solutions based on their proximity to the goal.

The effectiveness of päämäärähaku depends heavily on the quality of the goal definition and the heuristics used. A well-defined goal makes it clear what constitutes a successful solution, while accurate heuristics can significantly speed up the search by prioritizing more promising paths. Conversely, poorly defined goals or misleading heuristics can lead to inefficient or even failed searches. Päämäärähaku is a fundamental concept in many AI applications, from pathfinding in video games to optimizing complex industrial processes.