In this paper, a hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm, based on imperialistic competition algorithm (ICA), harmony search (HS), and simulated annealing (SA) is presented. The body of the proposed hybrid algorithm is based on ICA. The proposed hybrid algorithm inherits the advantages of the process of...

This article presents a critical analysis of the harmony search metaheuristic framework. We formally prove that the harmony search algorithm is a special case of evolution strategies. First, this implies that the harmony search algorithm itself does not offer any novelty, apart from using a...