Optimizing beyond boundaries: empowering the salp swarm algorithm for global optimization and defective software module classification

This work presents a new version of the salp swarm optimizer (SSA), called ”mSSA,” that uses complex mathematical expressions to dynamically manipulate the crucial control parameter (c₁) during optimization. These expressions are carefully designed to modulate the shift in search strategy from exploratory to exploitative, improving the flexibility and speed of convergence of the algorithm. To evaluate the performance of the developed mSSA variants, a thorough examination is carried out on twenty-three benchmark test functions alongside their application to the complex task of software module classification. The process of classifying defective software modules involves developing a multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifier that is suited to the particular complexity and heterogeneity of the task. Selecting the best optimizer is made easier by systematically evaluating the different mSSA versions as MLP classifier trainers. Based on metrics like classification accuracy, convergence speed, and avoidance of local minima, a comparative analysis in opposition to six previously published metaheuristic optimizers shows that mSSA3, when combined with the developed MLP classifier, outperforms both other mSSA variations and state-of-the-art metaheuristic optimizers in terms of overall performance. The excellent classification accuracy, swift convergence, and ability to avoid local minima of mSSA3 highlight its superiority and establish it as a cutting-edge method in the application of metaheuristic algorithms.