How can I improve simulated annealing algorithms?

How can I improve simulated annealing algorithms?

You can improve simulated annealing by optimizing the cooling schedule, adjusting the temperature decay rate, and using adaptive strategies.

What is a good cooling schedule to use?

A common cooling schedule is exponential decay, where the temperature decreases by a factor at each iteration. You might start with a temperature of 100 and reduce it by 0.95 each iteration.

Are there any specific problems where simulated annealing works best?

Simulated annealing is particularly effective for combinatorial optimization problems, like the traveling salesman problem or job scheduling.

Can I combine simulated annealing with other algorithms?

Yes, combining simulated annealing with genetic algorithms or local search methods can enhance performance and solution quality.