Abstract
A Dandelion algorithm (DA) inspired by the seed dispersal process of dandelions has been proposed as a newly intelligent optimization algorithm. For improving its exploration ability as well as reducing the probability of its falling into a local optimum, this work proposes to add a novel competition mechanism with historical information feedback to current DA. Specifically, the fitness value of each dandelion in the next generation, which is calculated by linear prediction, is compared with the current best dandelion, and the loser is replaced by a new offspring. Current DA generates new offsprings without considering historical information. This work improves its offspring generation process by exploiting historical information with an estimation-of-distribution algorithm. Three historical information models are designed. They are best, worst, and hybrid historical information feedback models. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithms outperform DA and its variants, and the proposed algorithms are superior or competitive to nine participating algorithms benchmarked on 28 functions from CEC2013. Finally, the proposed algorithms demonstrate the effectiveness on four real-world problems, and the results indicate that the proposed algorithms have better performance than its peers.