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Module 15: Other Swarm & Nature-Inspired Methods - Bees, Fireflies, and the Metaphor Problem

Beyond PSO and ACO lies a zoo of nature-inspired algorithms: artificial bee colony, firefly, bat, harmony search, and dozens more. Some are genuinely useful. Many are just PSO with different animal names. We separate substance from metaphor.

Learning Objectives​

  1. Implement Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) optimization
  2. Understand the firefly algorithm and its connection to PSO
  3. Critically evaluate: which algorithms have theoretical grounding?
  4. Understand the "novel metaheuristic" controversy in the field
  5. Know when to use established methods vs newer nature-inspired ones

Concept Explanation​

Coming soon.

Code Examples​

Coming soon.

Exercises​

Coming soon.

Milestone Checklist​

  • Implemented ABC
  • Can critically evaluate a nature-inspired algorithm paper
  • Understand the Sorensen critique of metaphor-driven algorithms
  • Know which methods have convergence proofs

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