Farmer Ants Optimization Algorithm: A Novel Metaheuristic for Solving Discrete Optimization Problems

Currently, certain complex issues are classified as NP-hard problems, for which there is no exact solution, or they cannot be solved in a reasonable amount of time. As a result, metaheuristic algorithms have been developed as an alternative. These algorithms aim to approximate the optimal solution r...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ali Asghari, Mahdi Zeinalabedinmalekmian, Hossein Azgomi, Mahmoud Alimoradi, Shirin Ghaziantafrishi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Information
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/16/3/207
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850203916336103424
author Ali Asghari
Mahdi Zeinalabedinmalekmian
Hossein Azgomi
Mahmoud Alimoradi
Shirin Ghaziantafrishi
author_facet Ali Asghari
Mahdi Zeinalabedinmalekmian
Hossein Azgomi
Mahmoud Alimoradi
Shirin Ghaziantafrishi
author_sort Ali Asghari
collection DOAJ
description Currently, certain complex issues are classified as NP-hard problems, for which there is no exact solution, or they cannot be solved in a reasonable amount of time. As a result, metaheuristic algorithms have been developed as an alternative. These algorithms aim to approximate the optimal solution rather than providing a definitive one. Over recent years, these algorithms have gained considerable attention from the research community. Nature and its inherent principles serve as the primary inspiration for the development of metaheuristic algorithms. A notable subgroup of these algorithms is evolutionary algorithms, which are modeled based on the behavior of social and intelligent animals and organisms. However, each metaheuristic algorithm typically excels only with specific types of problems. As a result, researchers continuously endeavor to develop new algorithms. This study introduces a novel metaheuristic algorithm known as the Farmer Ants Optimization Algorithm (FAOA). The algorithm is inspired by the life of farmer ants, which cultivate mushrooms for food, protect them from pests, and nourish them as they grow. These behaviors, based on their social dynamics, serve as the foundation for the proposed algorithm. Experiments conducted on various engineering and classical problems have demonstrated that the FAOA provides acceptable solutions for discrete optimization problems.
format Article
id doaj-art-94c3eb0830544358bb4787f7c144d4b8
institution OA Journals
issn 2078-2489
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Information
spelling doaj-art-94c3eb0830544358bb4787f7c144d4b82025-08-20T02:11:23ZengMDPI AGInformation2078-24892025-03-0116320710.3390/info16030207Farmer Ants Optimization Algorithm: A Novel Metaheuristic for Solving Discrete Optimization ProblemsAli Asghari0Mahdi Zeinalabedinmalekmian1Hossein Azgomi2Mahmoud Alimoradi3Shirin Ghaziantafrishi4Department of Computer Engineering, Shafagh Institute of Higher Education, Tonekabon 4683165363, IranDepartment of Computer Engineering, Shafagh Institute of Higher Education, Tonekabon 4683165363, IranDepartment of Computer Engineering, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht 413353516, IranDepartment of Computer Engineering, Shafagh Institute of Higher Education, Tonekabon 4683165363, IranMinistry of Education, Mashhad 9133714165, IranCurrently, certain complex issues are classified as NP-hard problems, for which there is no exact solution, or they cannot be solved in a reasonable amount of time. As a result, metaheuristic algorithms have been developed as an alternative. These algorithms aim to approximate the optimal solution rather than providing a definitive one. Over recent years, these algorithms have gained considerable attention from the research community. Nature and its inherent principles serve as the primary inspiration for the development of metaheuristic algorithms. A notable subgroup of these algorithms is evolutionary algorithms, which are modeled based on the behavior of social and intelligent animals and organisms. However, each metaheuristic algorithm typically excels only with specific types of problems. As a result, researchers continuously endeavor to develop new algorithms. This study introduces a novel metaheuristic algorithm known as the Farmer Ants Optimization Algorithm (FAOA). The algorithm is inspired by the life of farmer ants, which cultivate mushrooms for food, protect them from pests, and nourish them as they grow. These behaviors, based on their social dynamics, serve as the foundation for the proposed algorithm. Experiments conducted on various engineering and classical problems have demonstrated that the FAOA provides acceptable solutions for discrete optimization problems.https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/16/3/207metaheuristic algorithmsfarmer ants optimization algorithmoptimization
spellingShingle Ali Asghari
Mahdi Zeinalabedinmalekmian
Hossein Azgomi
Mahmoud Alimoradi
Shirin Ghaziantafrishi
Farmer Ants Optimization Algorithm: A Novel Metaheuristic for Solving Discrete Optimization Problems
Information
metaheuristic algorithms
farmer ants optimization algorithm
optimization
title Farmer Ants Optimization Algorithm: A Novel Metaheuristic for Solving Discrete Optimization Problems
title_full Farmer Ants Optimization Algorithm: A Novel Metaheuristic for Solving Discrete Optimization Problems
title_fullStr Farmer Ants Optimization Algorithm: A Novel Metaheuristic for Solving Discrete Optimization Problems
title_full_unstemmed Farmer Ants Optimization Algorithm: A Novel Metaheuristic for Solving Discrete Optimization Problems
title_short Farmer Ants Optimization Algorithm: A Novel Metaheuristic for Solving Discrete Optimization Problems
title_sort farmer ants optimization algorithm a novel metaheuristic for solving discrete optimization problems
topic metaheuristic algorithms
farmer ants optimization algorithm
optimization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/16/3/207
work_keys_str_mv AT aliasghari farmerantsoptimizationalgorithmanovelmetaheuristicforsolvingdiscreteoptimizationproblems
AT mahdizeinalabedinmalekmian farmerantsoptimizationalgorithmanovelmetaheuristicforsolvingdiscreteoptimizationproblems
AT hosseinazgomi farmerantsoptimizationalgorithmanovelmetaheuristicforsolvingdiscreteoptimizationproblems
AT mahmoudalimoradi farmerantsoptimizationalgorithmanovelmetaheuristicforsolvingdiscreteoptimizationproblems
AT shiringhaziantafrishi farmerantsoptimizationalgorithmanovelmetaheuristicforsolvingdiscreteoptimizationproblems