The methods are benchmarked against well-known metaheuristics like Genetic Algorithms, Tabu Search, heterogeneous GAs, Estimation of Distribution Algorithms, etc. Also, a publicly available software tool is offered to reduce the learning curve in applying these techniques. The three final chapters will use the classic problem of тАЬvehicle routingтАЭ and the hot topics of тАЬad-hoc mobile networksтАЭ and тАЬDNA genome sequencingтАЭ to clearly illustrate and demonstrate the power and utility of these algorithms.