Table 1 Classification of SOTA optimization algorithms.
From: Swift Flight Optimizer: a novel bio-inspired optimization algorithm based on swift bird behavior
Category | Algorithm | Main idea | Year | Exploration capability | Exploitation capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evolutionary | Genetic Algorithm (GA) | Natural selection and genetics | 1975 | High | High |
Differential Evolution (DE) | Differential vectors and evolution principles | 1997 | High | High | |
Genetic Programming (GP) | Evolutionary computation via program structures | 1998 | Medium | Medium | |
Swarm | Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) | Bird flocking and fish schooling | 1995 | High | High |
Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) | Ants’ pheromone trails and foraging | 2006 | High | Medium | |
Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) | Bee foraging and colony behavior | 2005 | High | Medium | |
Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) | Humpback whale bubble-net hunting | 2016 | Medium | High | |
Ant Lion Optimizer (ALO) | Antlion hunting strategies | 2015 | High | High | |
Jellyfish Search (JS) | Jellyfish swarm and ocean current dynamics | 2020 | High | Medium | |
Bacteria Phototaxis Optimizer (BPO) | Phototaxis behavior of bacteria | 2023 | High | High | |
GPSOM–Group-based PSO with Multiple Strategies | Group-based particle swarm with multi-strategy | 2025 | Very High | Very High | |
NSM-AHA–Natural Survivor Method-based Artificial Hummingbird Algorithm | Hummingbird foraging with survivor selection | 2024 | Very High | High | |
EMBGO–Enhanced Marine Battle and Gathering Optimizer | Marine predator–prey behavior and battle interactions in the ocean | 2025 | High | Medium | |
GWOCSA–Hybrid Grey Wolf & Crow Search Algorithm | Grey wolf hunting and crow search hybrid | 2019 | High | High | |
QSHO–Quantum Spotted Hyena Optimizer | Spotted hyena hunting with quantum adaptation | 2025 | Very High | High | |
Mammalian–Behavior (Swarm sub-type) | Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) | Grey wolf pack hunting hierarchy | 2014 | Medium | High |
Harris Hawks Optimizer (HHO) | Harris hawk cooperative hunting | 2019 | High | High | |
Cheetah Optimizer (CO) | Cheetah chasing and predation behavior | 2022 | High | Medium | |
Meerkat Optimization Algorithm (MOA) | Meerkat cooperative surveillance and hunting | 2023 | Medium | High | |
Physics | Simulated Annealing (SA) | Metallurgical annealing process | 1983 | Medium | Medium |
Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) | Newtonian gravity and motion | 2009 | Medium | High | |
Multi-Verse Optimizer (MVO) | Multiverse theory and white/black hole concepts | 2016 | High | High | |
Black Hole Algorithm (BH) | Black hole attraction phenomenon | 2013 | Low | High | |
Elastic Deformation Optimization Algorithm (EDOA) | Elastic deformation mechanics | 2022 | High | High | |
Chemical/Biochemical | Atom Search Optimization (ASO) | Atomic motion and bonding forces | 2019 | High | High |
Chemical Reaction Optimization (CRO) | Chemical reaction dynamics | 2009 | High | Medium | |
Nuclear Reaction Optimization (NRO) | Nuclear reaction processes | 2019 | High | High | |
Biology | Enzyme Action Optimizer (EAO) | Enzymatic catalytic action in biology | 2025 | High | High |
Pufferfish Optimization Algorithm (POA) | Pufferfish defense against predators | 2024 | High | High | |
Artificial Protozoa Optimizer (APO) | Protozoa foraging and reproduction | 2024 | High | High | |
System | Water Cycle Algorithm (WCA) | Water cycle: evaporation, precipitation, flow | 2012 | Medium | Medium |
Snow Ablation Optimizer (SAO) | Snow ablation and melting dynamics | 2023 | Medium | High | |
Math | Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA) | Arithmetic operations for position update | 2021 | High | High |
Chaos Game Optimization (CGO) | Chaos game theory and fractals | 2021 | High | Medium | |
Sine Cosine Algorithm (SCA) | Sine and cosine mathematical oscillations | 2016 | High | Medium | |
Human | Chef-Based Optimization Algorithm (CBOA) | Chefs’ process of improving a recipe | 2022 | Medium | Medium |
Cultural Algorithms (CA) | Cultural knowledge evolution in societies | 1994 | Medium | Medium |
