Algorithm Selection with Probing Trajectories: Benchmarking the Choice of Classifier Model

Renau, Quentin; Hart, Emma

Abstract

Recent approaches to training algorithm selectors in the black-box optimisation domain have advocated for the use of training data that is 'algorithm-centric' in order to encapsulate information about how an algorithm performs on an instance, rather than relying on information derived from features of the instance itself. Probing trajectories that consist of a sequence of objective performance per function evaluation obtained from a short run of an algorithm have recently shown particular promise in training accurate selectors. However, training models on this type of data requires an appropriately chosen classifier given the sequential nature of the data. There are currently no clear guidelines for choosing the most appropriate classifier for algorithm selection using time-series data from the plethora of models available. To address this, we conduct a large benchmark study using 17 different classifiers and three types of trajectory on a classification task using the BBOB benchmark suite using both leave-one-instance out and leave-one-problem out cross-validation. In contrast to previous studies using tabular data, we find that the choice of classifier has a significant impact, showing that feature-based and interval-based models are the best choices.

Citation

Renau, Q., & Hart, E. (2025, April). Algorithm Selection with Probing Trajectories: Benchmarking the Choice of Classifier Model. Presented at EvoSTAR 2025, Trieste, Italy

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: EvoSTAR 2025
• Start Date: Apr 23, 2025
• End Date: Feb 25, 2025
• Acceptance Date: Jan 10, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Apr 17, 2025
• Publication Date: 2025
• Deposit Date: Feb 3, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 18, 2026
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 452-468
• Series Title: Lecture Notes in Computer Science
• Series Number: 15612
• Series ISSN: 0302-9743
• Book Title: Applications of Evolutionary Computation
• ISBN: 978-3-031-90061-7
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90062-4_28
• Keywords: Algorithm Selection, Black-Box Optimisation, Algorithm Trajectory
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/4105631
• External URL: https://www.evostar.org/2025/