Evolutionary Algorithm for Solving Combinatorial Optimization—A Review

Evolutionary computing (EC) has made a remarkable competency in both research and industry. Its efficiency in addressing the combinatorial optimization problems (COPs) has gained wide popularity. Exploration of bio-inspired algorithms for solving COPs has experienced a notable shift from classic algorithms to hybridized and co-evolutionary algorithms. This paper presents a broad study on different approaches exists for solving COPs. In particular, detailed explanation on evolutionary algorithms (EAs) and its usages in solving COPs are presented. This study also details different algorithmic adjustments to be done on EAs and possible integrations of them with other meta-heuristics, in order to make them apt for solving COPs.