A new stochastic algorithm used to produce initial values for constrained optimization problems

In this paper, a new stochastic optimization algorithm is introduced to simulate the plant growing process. It employs the photosynthesis operator and phototropism operator to mimic photosynthesis and phototropism phenomenon. For the plant growing process, photosynthesis is a basic mechanism to provide the energy from sunshine, while phototropism is an important character to guide the growing direction. In our algorithm, each individual is called a branch, and the sampled points are regarded as the branch growing trajectory. Phototropism operator is designed to introduce the fitness function value, as well as phototropism operator is used to decide the growing direction. To test the performance, it is used to produce initial values for constrained optimization problems. Simulation results show this new algorithm increases the performance significantly when compared with method of randomly generating.