An improved monkey algorithm for a 0-1 knapsack problem

•The 0-1 knapsack problem is a classic combinational optimization problem.•The monkey algorithm (MA) is a novel swarm intelligent based algorithm.•This paper proposed a binary version of the monkey algorithm for solving 0-1 knapsack problem.•The result of the proposed algorithm provides better results in solving the 0-1 knapsack problem compared with the other solving methods.

The 0-1 knapsack problem is a classic combinational optimization problem. However, many exiting algorithms have low precision and easily fall into local optimal solutions to solve the 0-1 knapsack problem. In order to overcome these problems, this paper proposes a binary version of the monkey algorithm where the greedy algorithm is used to strengthen the local search ability, the somersault process is modified to avoid falling into local optimal solutions, and the cooperation process is adopted to speed up the convergence rate of the algorithm. To validate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, experiments are carried out with various data instances of 0-1 knapsack problems and the results are compared with those of five metaheuristic algorithms.

Graphical abstractThe flow chart of CGMA.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide