Flock-based architecture for distributed evolutionary algorithms

Abstract

The paper presents an agent-based architecture facilitating implemetation of parallel evolutionary algorithms, utilising the novel concept of a flock. The model proposed is an extension to classical regional parallel evolutionary algorithm. Flocks introduce additional level of organisation of the system, allowing for separation of distribution and evolution issues, and thus opening possibility of dynamic reconfiguration of subpopulations adequately to the structure of the problem being solved. Selected experimental results illustrate the idea "at work".