Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) Algorithm Exploitation and Exploration Balance

Nature inspired metaheuristics proved to be very successful when applied to hard optimization problems, combinatorial as well as global. For all these algorithms, with very different basic ideas, parameters and implementation details, the common problem that ultimately determines the successfulness of a particular algorithm is balance between exploitation and exploration. Exploitation refers to use of good already found solutions while exploration refers to avoidance of being trapped in local optima by widening search to new areas. In this paper exploitation/exploration balance for the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is examined and some successful modifications that improved algorithm’s performance are described. Key-Words: Swarm intelligence, Metaheuristic optimization, Artificial bee colony optimization, Nature inspired metaheuristics