We have studied the inverse scattering problem as an optimization problem. Firstly, we deal with the direct scattering problem of a one-dimensional, perfectly conducting rough surface. We discuss the complexity of the relation between the surface profile, the incident field, and the far-field intensity. Then, we approach the inverse problem as an optimization problem of constraint. In general we adopt a mathematical representation of the surfaces based on B-spline curves, and describe the evolutionary strategies. Concerning the mutation operator in evolutionary algorithm, some effort to facilitate self-adaptation of the mutation has been presented. The typical results are presented with our main conclusions.