A software model to prototype ant colony optimization algorithms

The study of multi-agent systems usually begins by implementing a base-algorithm, which is changed as required by the aim of the research. In this context, carrying out different algorithms, which have already been established, is not a trivial task as it requires implementing these algorithms. This paper presents a software model that allows one to prototype variations of the Ant Colony Optimization metaheuristic. This model can be used to avoid implementations in duplicity, allowing, with less effort, the generation of different algorithms to be used on the same problem. Results shown that, specially for more elaborated algorithms, the adoption of the proposed software model reduce significantly the coding effort required.