coordinate_search

coordinate_search, an Octave code which seeks the minimizer of a scalar function of several variables, by Jeff Borggaard.

The algorithm, which goes back to Fermi and Metropolis, is easy to describe. As originally designed, the algorithm begins with a central point, as well as 2*M "test" points, where M is the number of spatial dimensions. The I-th pair of test points differs from the central point only in the I-th coordinate. One test point increases, and one decreases, this coordinate by a fixed amount H.

The function value of all 2*M+1 points is computed; if the lowest value occurs at the center point, then H is decreased. If the lowest value occurs at a test point, then that test point becomes the new center point.

On the next step, using the current center point and size H, a new set of 2*M test points is computed, and the process is repeated.

Under certain simple conditions, the process will converge to a local minimizer of the function.

Usage:

x_opt = coordinate_search ( x_center, f, flag )

• x_center, is a vector containing a starting point for the iteration.
• f is the "function handle"; that is, either a quoted expression for the function, or the name of an M-file that defines the function, preceded by an "@" sign;
• flag: if flag is nonzero, then the program assumes that a 2D problem is being solved, and it will display a plot of the iterative procedure. If flag is 3, then a special variation of the algorithm is to be used in which 3 test points are employed in a triangular pattern around the center point.
• x_opt is the program's estimate for the minimizer of the function;

Very simple functions can be input as a quoted string. Thus, one could specify the f argument as '(x(1)-2*x(2)+7)^2'; However, for more complicated functions it makes sense to prepare an M-file that defines the function. For this same example, a suitable M-file would be:

        function f = example ( x )
        f = ( x(1) - 2 * x(2) + 7 )^2;
      

If this information was stored in an M-file called example.m, then one might invoke the optimization program with a command like

        x_opt = coordinate_search ( x_init, @example, 0 )
      

Licensing:

The computer code and data files described and made available on this web page are distributed under the MIT license

Languages:

coordinate_search is available in a MATLAB version and an Octave version.

Related Data and Programs:

coordinate_search_test

asa047, an Octave code which minimizes a scalar function of several variables using the Nelder-Mead algorithm.

compass_search, is an Octave code which seeks the minimizer of a scalar function of several variables using compass search, a direct search algorithm that does not use derivatives.

nelder_mead, an Octave code which minimizes a scalar function of several variables using the Nelder-Mead algorithm.

praxis, a MATLAB library which implements the principal axis method of Richard Brent for minimization of a function without the use of derivatives.

test_opt, an Octave code which defines test problems requiring the minimization of a scalar function of several variables.

toms178, an Octave code which optimizes a scalar functional of multiple variables using the Hooke-Jeeves method.

Author:

Jeff Borggaard,
Mathematics Department,
Virginia Tech.

Reference:

1. Evelyn Beale,
   On an Iterative Method for Finding a Local Minimum of a Function of More than One Variable,
   Technical Report 25,
   Statistical Techniques Research Group,
   Princeton University, 1958.
2. Richard Brent,
   Algorithms for Minimization without Derivatives,
   Dover, 2002,
   ISBN: 0-486-41998-3,
   LC: QA402.5.B74.
3. David Himmelblau,
   Applied Nonlinear Programming,
   McGraw Hill, 1972,
   ISBN13: 978-0070289215,
   LC: T57.8.H55.
4. Ken McKinnon,
   Convergence of the Nelder-Mead simplex method to a nonstationary point,
   SIAM Journal on Optimization,
   Volume 9, Number 1, 1998, pages 148-158.
5. Zbigniew Michalewicz,
   Genetic Algorithms + Data Structures = Evolution Programs,
   Third Edition,
   Springer, 1996,
   ISBN: 3-540-60676-9,
   LC: QA76.618.M53.
6. Michael Powell,
   An Iterative Method for Finding Stationary Values of a Function of Several Variables,
   Computer Journal,
   Volume 5, 1962, pages 147-151.
7. Howard Rosenbrock,
   An Automatic Method for Finding the Greatest or Least Value of a Function,
   Computer Journal,
   Volume 3, 1960, pages 175-184.

Source Code:

• coordinate_search.m, the coordinate search optimization algorithm.
• r8vec_print.m, prints an R8VEC.