Differential Evolution

Abstract

This article discusses solving non-linear programming problems containing integer, discrete and continuous variables. A novel optimization method based on a recently introduced Evolutionary Algorithm called Differential Evolution is described. Three numerical examples are given to demonstrate the capabilities and practical use of the method. Since these classical examples have been used by a number of other researchers, it was possible to compare results between no less than 21 alternative optimization methods. The novel method was found easy to implement and use, effective, efficient and robust, which makes it an attractive and widely applicable approach for solving practical engineering design problems.