A novel intelligent hyper-heuristic algorithm for solving optimization problems

In recent years, solving combinatorial optimization problems involves more complications, high dimensions, and multi-objective considerations. Combining the advantages of other evolutionary algorithms to enhance the performance of a unique evolutionary algorithm and form a new hybrid heuristic algorithm has become a way to strengthen the performance of the algorithm effectively. However, the intelligent hybrid heuristic algorithm destroys the integrity, universality, and robustness of the original algorithm to a certain extent and increases its time complexity. This paper implements a new idea “ML to choose heuristics” (a heuristic algorithm combined with machine learning technology) which uses the Q-learning method to learn different strategies in genetic algorithm. Moreover, a selection-based hyper-heuristic algorithm is obtained that can guide the algorithm to make decisions at different time nodes to select appropriate strategies. The algorithm is the hybrid strategy using Q-learning on StudGA (HSQ-StudGA). The experimental results show that among the 14 standard test functions, the evolutionary algorithm guided by Q-learning can effectively improve the quality of arithmetic solution. Under the premise of not changing the evolutionary structure of the algorithm, the hyper-heuristic algorithm represents a new method to solve combinatorial optimization problems.