An improved salp swarm algorithm for complex multi-modal problems.

In this paper, improved salp swarm algorithm is proposed. The algorithm integrates (1) random opposition-based learning (2) multiple leadership and (3) simulated annealing in swarm intelligence-based metaheuristic salp swarm algorithm. This integration increases the exploration and exploitation of the original salp swarm algorithm. Hence, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is better for complex multi-modal problems. The algorithm is tested on several standard numerical benchmark functions and CEC-2015 benchmarks. Results are compared with some well-known metaheuristics. The results represent the merit of the proposed algorithm with respect to other algorithms. The improved salp swarm algorithm is applied for feed-forward neural network training. Performance is compared with other metaheuristic-based feedforward neural network trainers for different data sets. The results show the efficiency and effectiveness of proposed algorithm in solving complex multi-modal problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]