Abstract: It is very important that the subarca of evolutionary computation is scientifically cognized for studying evolutionary computation and predicting the developing directions of evolutionary computation in future.The development mainlines, characteristics and internal inherent law are reviewed were summarized, and the cognitive process for evolutionary computation was explained from the perspective of philosophy of science. A series of new concepts and idea,for example, the essential problem, typical methods and typical instances were proposed and discussed. The research progress of methodology for evolutionary computation was presented in outline, and its influence on the research and education of computer science and technology was discussed.

Key words: Evolutionary computation, Methodology, Essential problem, Paradigms, Core-concept, Typical methods,Typical instances