MetaGen: A framework for metaheuristic development and hyperparameter optimization in machine and deep learning

Hyperparameter optimization is a pivotal step in enhancing model performance within machine learning. Traditionally, this challenge is addressed through metaheuristics, which efficiently explore large search spaces to uncover optimal solutions. However, implementing these techniques can be complex w...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gutiérrez Avilés, David, Jiménez Navarro, Manuel Jesús, Torres, José Francisco, Martínez-Álvarez, Francisco
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repositorio:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:idus.us.es:11441/174931
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/174931
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucom.2025.130046
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Metaheuristics
Hyperparameter optimization
Machine learning
Deep learning
Python
Descripción
Sumario:Hyperparameter optimization is a pivotal step in enhancing model performance within machine learning. Traditionally, this challenge is addressed through metaheuristics, which efficiently explore large search spaces to uncover optimal solutions. However, implementing these techniques can be complex without adequate development tools, which is the primary focus of this paper. Hence, we introduce MetaGen, a novel Python package designed to provide a comprehensive framework for developing and evaluating metaheuristic algorithms. MetaGen follows best practices in Python design, ensuring minimalistic code implementation, intuitive comprehension, and full flexibility in solution representation. The package defines two distinct user roles: Developers, responsible for algorithm implementation for hyperparameter optimization, and Solvers, who leverage pre-implemented metaheuristics to address optimization problems. Beyond algorithm implementation, MetaGen facilitates benchmarking through built-in test functions, ensuring standardized performance comparisons. It also provides automated reporting and visualization tools to analyze optimization progress and outcomes effectively. Furthermore, its modular design allows distribution and integration into existing machine learning workflows. Several illustrative use cases are presented to demonstrate its adaptability and efficacy. The package, along with code, a user manual, and supplementary materials, is available at: https://github.com/Data-Science-Big-Data-Research-Lab/MetaGen.