Ant Colony Optimization (ACO)

Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is a computational method inspired by the foraging behavior of ants. When ants search for food, they leave behind pheromones, guiding other ants along the best paths. ACO mimics this process to solve complex problems, like finding the shortest route on a network. It involves virtual "ants" that explore solutions and share information about successful paths through artificial pheromone trails. Over time, the algorithm refines its solutions, favoring paths that are more frequently traveled. This approach is useful in various fields, such as logistics, network design, and scheduling, to optimize routes and efficiency.