Comparing the performances of six nature-inspired algorithms on a real-world discrete optimization problem

Abstract

Many new, nature-inspired optimization algorithms are proposed these days, and these algorithms are gaining popularity day by day. These algorithms are frequently preferred for these real-world problems as they need less information, are reliable and robust, and have a structure that can easily be applied to discrete problems. Too many algorithms result in difficulty choosing the correct technique for the problem, and selecting an unwise method affects the solution quality. In addition, some algorithms cannot be reliable for some specific real-world problems but very successful for others. In order to guide and give insight into the practitioners and researchers about this problem, studies involving the comparison and evaluation of the performance of algorithms are needed. In this study, the performances of six nature-inspired methods, which included five new implementations of differential evolutionary algorithms (DE), scatter search (SS), equilibrium optimizer (EO), marine predators algorithm (MPA), and honey badger algorithm (HBA) applied to land redistribution problem and genetic algorithms (GA), were compared. In order to compare the algorithms in detail, various performance indicators were used as problem based and algorithm based. Experimental results showed that DE and SS algorithms have a more successful performance than the other methods by solution quality, robustness, and many problem-based indicators.