# particle swarm optimization

> optimization method using a set of candidate solutions moving around in the search-space

**Wikidata**: [Q2072794](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2072794)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particle_swarm_optimization)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/particle-swarm-optimization

## Summary
Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is an optimization algorithm that searches for solutions by simulating a set of candidate solutions (particles) moving through the search space. It is classified as an optimization method and a subclass of artificial intelligence algorithms.

## Key Facts
- Particle swarm optimization is an algorithm (instance_of: algorithm).
- PSO is described as an "optimization method using a set of candidate solutions moving around in the search-space" (Wikidata description).
- PSO is subclassed under both optimization and artificial intelligence.
- PSO has a Wikimedia Commons animation available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/ParticleSwarmArrowsAnimation.gif.
- PSO appears under the Wikipedia title "Particle swarm optimization" and has a sitelink_count of 21.
- PSO has multiple aliases in other languages, including Optimizacion por enjambre de particulas, 微粒群算法, 粒子群优化算法, and Enxame de partículas.
- PSO is indexed in medical/academic thesauri with MeSH tree codes G17.035.250.563, G17.035.719, L01.224.050.375.612, and L01.224.050.765 (qualifiers indicate links to artificial intelligence and algorithm).
- PSO has identifiers in knowledge sources: freebase_id /m/01xmwc (publication_date: 2013-10-28), microsoft_academic_id_(discontinued): 85617194, scholarpedia_article_id: Particle_swarm_optimization, and mesh_descriptor_id D000098413.
- A related person listed is Maurice Clerc (born 1949), a French mathematician.

## FAQs
### Q: What is particle swarm optimization?
A: Particle swarm optimization is an algorithmic optimization method in which a set of candidate solutions (particles) move through the search space to find optima. It is categorized under optimization and as a technique within artificial intelligence.

### Q: Is particle swarm optimization part of artificial intelligence?
A: Yes. PSO is subclassed under artificial intelligence and under optimization in classification systems and knowledge bases.

### Q: Where can I find more authoritative entries on PSO?
A: PSO has a Wikipedia article titled "Particle swarm optimization," a Scholarpedia article (Particle_swarm_optimization), and entries in controlled vocabularies such as MeSH (descriptor D000098413).

### Q: What other names does PSO go by?
A: PSO is known by several aliases in other languages, including Optimizacion por enjambre de particulas (Spanish), 微粒群算法 and 粒子群优化算法 (Chinese), and Enxame de partículas (Portuguese).

## Why It Matters
Particle swarm optimization matters because it provides a general-purpose method for searching complex solution spaces using a population of cooperating candidate solutions. As an algorithmic technique classified under both optimization and artificial intelligence, PSO represents a family of approaches that transfer information across multiple candidates while exploring and exploiting the search space. Its representation in major knowledge resources—Wikipedia, Scholarpedia, MeSH, and other encyclopedias—along with multilingual coverage and dedicated visual materials (animation on Wikimedia Commons) indicates wide recognition across research and applied communities. PSO's classification in controlled vocabularies (MeSH) and indexing in academic identifiers demonstrates its relevance in cross-disciplinary literature and knowledge organization. For practitioners and researchers, PSO offers a framework for solving optimization tasks where direct analytic solutions may not be available, and where population-based, iterative search strategies are appropriate.

## Notable For
- Using a set (swarm) of candidate solutions (particles) that move through the search-space to seek optima.
- Being classified as both an optimization method and an artificial intelligence algorithm in major knowledge bases.
- Wide bibliographic and encyclopedic representation (Wikipedia article, Scholarpedia entry, MeSH descriptor D000098413).
- Multiple language aliases and a dedicated Wikimedia Commons animation illustrating particle movement.
- Presence in structured knowledge systems with persistent identifiers (freebase_id /m/01xmwc; microsoft_academic_id 85617194; scholarpedia_article_id).

## Body
### Overview
- Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is an algorithmic approach to optimization.
- It operates by maintaining a population of candidate solutions called particles.
- Particles move through the search space while exchanging information to improve candidate solutions.
- The method is described in Wikidata as "optimization method using a set of candidate solutions moving around in the search-space."

### Classification and context
- Instance of: algorithm.
- Subclass of: optimization; artificial intelligence.
- MeSH indexing: associated MeSH tree codes include G17.035.250.563 and G17.035.719 (qualifiers indicate links to artificial intelligence and algorithm), and L01.224.050.375.612 and L01.224.050.765.
- MeSH descriptor ID: D000098413.

### Names, aliases, and language coverage
- Primary Wikipedia title: "Particle swarm optimization."
- Aliases: Optimizacion por enjambre de particulas; 微粒群算法; 粒子群优化算法; Enxame de partículas.
- Wikipedia and Commons language coverage includes: ar, commons, cs, de, en, es, fa, fr, he, hi.
- Wikidata sitelink_count: 21.

### Identifiers and resources
- Wikimedia Commons animation: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/ParticleSwarmArrowsAnimation.gif.
- Freebase ID: /m/01xmwc (publication_date noted as 2013-10-28 in the freebase record).
- Scholarpedia article ID: Particle_swarm_optimization.
- Microsoft Academic (discontinued) ID: 85617194.
- Encyclopedia of China (third edition) ID: 18653.
- Quora topic: Particle-Swarm-Optimization.
- Zhihu topic ID: 19651086 (labelled 粒子群优化).

### Related people and resources
- Maurice Clerc (born 1949), French mathematician, is listed as a related person in the provided material. His occupation is given as mathematician and writer; citizenship: France.

### Documentation and visual aids
- Commons category: Particle swarm optimization (reference to a Wikipedia revision: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Particle_swarm_optimization&oldid=972515577).
- Visual explanation available via the Commons animation link above.

### Notes and scope limits
- The provided material describes PSO's high-level behavior and its classification and identifiers in knowledge bases and controlled vocabularies.
- Technical algorithmic variants, historical originators, parameter settings, empirical performance comparisons, and application-area specifics are not provided in the supplied source material and therefore are not included here.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora
3. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)