EDOLAB: An Open-Source Platform for Education and Experimentation with Evolutionary Dynamic Optimization Algorithms

TL;DR

EDOLAB is an open-source MATLAB platform designed to facilitate research and education in evolutionary dynamic optimization algorithms, providing a standardized environment with multiple algorithms and educational tools.

Contribution

The paper introduces EDOLAB, a comprehensive open-source platform with 25 EDOAs and educational modules, addressing reproducibility and learning challenges in dynamic optimization research.

Findings

Includes 25 EDOAs and 4 benchmark generators

Supports research and educational activities

Enhances reproducibility of dynamic optimization experiments

Abstract

Many real-world optimization problems exhibit dynamic characteristics, posing significant challenges for traditional optimization techniques. Evolutionary Dynamic Optimization Algorithms (EDOAs) are designed to address these challenges effectively. However, in existing literature, the reported results for a given EDOA can vary significantly. This inconsistency often arises because the source codes for many EDOAs, which are typically complex, have not been made publicly available, leading to error-prone re-implementations. To support researchers in conducting experiments and comparing their algorithms with various EDOAs, we have developed an open-source MATLAB platform called the Evolutionary Dynamic Optimization LABoratory (EDOLAB). This platform not only facilitates research but also includes an educational module designed for instructional purposes. The education module allows users to observe: a) a 2-dimensional problem space and its morphological changes following each environmental change, b) the behaviors of individuals over time, and c) how the EDOA responds to environmental changes and tracks the moving optimum. The current version of EDOLAB features 25 EDOAs and four fully parametric benchmark generators. The MATLAB source code for EDOLAB is publicly available and can be accessed from [https://github.com/Danial-Yazdani/EDOLAB-MATLAB].