全球技术与优化杂志

In the (possible or known) presence of many local optima, the goal of global optimization is to identify the model's (potentially nonlinear) globally optimal solution. Formally, global optimization looks for one or more global solutions to an optimization model with constraints. Nonlinear models are frequently used in a wide range of fields, including scientific modelling, advanced engineering design, biotechnology, data analysis, environmental management, financial planning, process control, and risk management. They frequently need a global search strategy to find a solution.

When there are no other practical solutions with superior objective function values, the solution is said to be globally optimal. When there are no other viable alternatives "close by" with superior objective function values, the solution is said to be locally optimal. The goal function and/or constraints may generate this point at the top of a "peak" or at the bottom of a "valley," but there may be a higher peak or a deeper valley far away from the current point.