Adaptive directed mutation for real-coded genetic algorithms

Adaptive directed mutation (ADM) operator, a novel, simple, and efficient real-coded genetic algorithm (RCGA) is proposed and then employed to solve complex function optimization problems. The suggested ADM operator enhances the abilities of GAs in searching global optima as well as in speeding convergence by integrating the local directional search strategy and the adaptive random search strategies. Using 41 benchmark global optimization test functions, the performance of the new algorithm is compared with five conventional mutation operators and then with six genetic algorithms (GAs) reported in literature. Results indicate that the proposed ADM-RCGA is fast, accurate, and reliable, and outperforms all the other GAs considered in the present study. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.