Local Search in Combinatorial Optimization

In the past three decades local search has grown from a simple heuristic idea into a mature field of research in combinatorial optimization. Local search is still the method of choice for NP-hard problems as it provides a robust approach for obtaining high-quality solutions to problems of a realistic size in a reasonable time. This area of discrete mathematics is of great practical use and is attracting ever increasing attention. The contributions to this book cover local search and its variants from both a theoretical and practical point of view, each with a chapter written by leading authorities on that particular aspect. Chapters 1 to 7 deal with the theory of local search and describe the principal search strategies such as simulated annealing, tabu search, genetic algorithms and neural networks. The remaining chapters present a wealth of results on applications of local search to problems in management science and engineering, including the traveling salesman problem, vehicle routing, machine scheduling, VLSI design and code design. This book is an important reference volume and an invaluable source of inspiration for advanced students and researchers in discrete mathematics, computer science, operations research, industrial engineering and management science.