Abstract

Recently, Opposition-Inspired Learning strategies were proposed to improve the search process of antbased algorithms to solve combinatorial problems. In this paper, we propose a collaborative framework of these strategies called Multiple Opposite Synergic Strategy for Ants (MOSSA). Because of each strategy has a different goal, we expect that the ants algorithm will benefit from their collaboration. The algorithm strongly uses the pheromone matrix for accomplishing stigmergy. To evaluate our framework, we use a recently proposed algorithm to solve Constraint Satisfaction Problems named Focused Ant Solver. Results and statistical analysis show that using MOSSA, Focused Ant Solver is able to solve more problems from the transition phase. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.