Abstract:

A new intelligent algorithm called the clouds search optimization(CSO) is proposed by blending the natural phenomena of clouds' generation, dynamic movement, rainfall and regeneration with the ideas of intelligent optimization algorithms. Clouds' generation and movement can permeate the entire search space, which makes this algorithm have strong global search ability. The strange changes in clouds' shapes which come into being by clouds' contraction and expansion bring the algorithm to strong local search ability. Meanwhile, rainfall and regeneration can maintain the clouds’ diversity and void trapping in the local optimum. The optimization experiments of the benchmark functions and the comparison between the new algorithm and other intelligent algorithms show the excellent performance of the new algorithm.

Key words: clouds search optimization algorithm;intelligent optimization;function optimization;global optimization