derivative-free optimization

Model Construction for Convex-Constrained Derivative-Free Optimization

  • Lindon Roberts
    • Categories Bound-constrained Optimization, Constrained Nonlinear Optimization, Nonlinear Optimization Tags , ,

    We develop a new approximation theory for linear and quadratic interpolation models, suitable for use in convex-constrained derivative-free optimization (DFO). Most existing model-based DFO methods for constrained problems assume the ability to construct sufficiently accurate approximations via interpolation, but the standard notions of accuracy (designed for unconstrained problems) may not be achievable by only sampling … Read more

    An Inexact Restoration Direct Multisearch Filter Approach to Multiobjective Constrained Derivative-free Optimization

  • Everton Silva
  • Ana Luisa Custódio
    • Categories Constrained Nonlinear Optimization, Nonsmooth Optimization Tags , , , , , ,

    Direct Multisearch (DMS) is a well-established class of methods for multiobjective derivative-free optimization, where constraints are addressed by an extreme barrier approach, only evaluating feasible points. In this work, we propose a filter approach, combined with an inexact feasibility restoration step, to address constraints in the DMS framework. The filter approach treats feasibility as an … Read more

    Hierarchically constrained multi-fidelity blackbox optimization

  • Xavier Lebeuf
  • Sébastien Le Digabel
  • Charles Audet
  • Miguel Diago
  • Stéphane Alarie
    • Categories Constrained Nonlinear Optimization, Energy, Nonsmooth Optimization Tags , , , , ,

    This work introduces a novel multi-fidelity blackbox optimization algorithm designed to alleviate the resource-intensive task of evaluating infeasible points. This algorithm is an intermediary component bridging a direct search solver and a blackbox, resulting in reduced computation time per evaluation, all while preserving the efficiency and convergence properties of the chosen solver. This is made … Read more

    The limitation of neural nets for approximation and optimization

  • Tommaso Giovannelli
  • Oumaima Sohab
  • Luis Nunes Vicente
    • Categories Global Optimization, Nonlinear Optimization, Optimization in Data Science Tags , , ,

    We are interested in assessing the use of neural networks as surrogate models to approximate and minimize objective functions in optimization problems. While neural networks are widely used for machine learning tasks such as classification and regression, their application in solving optimization problems has been limited. Our study begins by determining the best activation function … Read more

    Full-low evaluation methods for bound and linearly constrained derivative-free optimization

  • Clément W. Royer
  • Oumaima Sohab
  • Luis Nunes Vicente
    • Categories Bound-constrained Optimization, Nonlinear Optimization Tags , , ,

    Derivative-free optimization (DFO) consists in finding the best value of an objective function without relying on derivatives. To tackle such problems, one may build approximate derivatives, using for instance finite-difference estimates. One may also design algorithmic strategies that perform space exploration and seek improvement over the current point. The first type of strategy often provides … Read more

    Using orthogonally structured positive bases for constructing positive k-spanning sets with cosine measure guarantees

  • Warren Hare
  • Clément W. Royer
  • Gabriel Jarry-Bolduc
  • Sébastien Kerleau
    • Categories Nonlinear Optimization, Unconstrained Optimization Tags , , , , ,

    \(\) Positive spanning sets span a given vector space by nonnegative linear combinations of their elements. These have attracted significant attention in recent years, owing to their extensive use in derivative-free optimization. In this setting, the quality of a positive spanning set is assessed through its cosine measure, a geometric quantity that expresses how well … Read more

    Expected decrease for derivative-free algorithms using random subspaces

  • Lindon Roberts
    • Categories Nonlinear Optimization, Unconstrained Optimization Tags ,

    Derivative-free algorithms seek the minimum of a given function based only on function values queried at appropriate points. Although these methods are widely used in practice, their performance is known to worsen as the problem dimension increases. Recent advances in developing randomized derivative-free techniques have tackled this issue by working in low-dimensional subspaces that are … Read more

    PDFO: A Cross-Platform Package for Powell’s Derivative-Free Optimization Solvers

  • Tom M. Ragonneau
  • Zaikun Zhang
    • Categories Nonlinear Optimization, Optimization Software and Modeling Systems Tags , , , , ,

    The late Professor M. J. D. Powell devised five trust-region derivative-free optimization methods, namely COBYLA, UOBYQA, NEWUOA, BOBYQA, and LINCOA. He also carefully implemented them into publicly available solvers, which are renowned for their robustness and efficiency. However, the solvers were implemented in Fortran 77 and hence may not be easily accessible to some users. … Read more

    An Optimal Interpolation Set for Model-Based Derivative-Free Optimization Methods

  • Tom M. Ragonneau
  • Zaikun Zhang
    • Categories Nonlinear Optimization Tags , , , ,

    This paper demonstrates the optimality of an interpolation set employed in derivative-free trust-region methods. This set is optimal in the sense that it minimizes the constant of well-poisedness in a ball centred at the starting point. It is chosen as the default initial interpolation set by many derivative-free trust-region methods based on underdetermined quadratic interpolation, … Read more

    Efficient composite heuristics for integer bound constrained noisy optimization

  • Morteza Kimiaei
  • Arnold Neumaier
    • Categories Bound-constrained Optimization, Integer Programming, Optimization Software Benchmark Tags , , , ,

    This paper discusses a composite algorithm for bound constrained noisy derivative-free optimization problems with integer variables. This algorithm is an integer variant of the matrix adaptation evolution strategy. An integer derivative-free line search strategy along affine scaling matrix directions is used to generate candidate points. Each affine scaling matrix direction is a product of the … Read more