On the Explorative Behavior of MAX-MIN Ant System

Abstract Analyzing the behavior of stochastic procedures is generally recognized to be relevant. A possible way for doing so consists in observing the exploration performed. A formalization in this sense is proposed in the paper On the explorative behavior of MAX–MIN Ant System : A method for studying this aspect regardless the type of approach used is defined and tested. The consequent measure of exploration is applied to MAX–MIN Ant System: The impact of the values of the parameters on the exploration is assessed. The TSP is considered as benchmark. Moreover, the conclusions drawn are put in relation with the indications provided by the average λ -branching factor. Finally, some relations are pointed out between exploration and performance of the algorithm. Owing to lack of space, few results are reported in On the explorative behavior of MAX–MIN Ant System . A deeper experimental analysis is reported here.