Solving No-Wait Flow Shop Scheduling Problem Based on Discrete Wolf Pack Algorithm

Aiming at the no-wait flow shop scheduling problem with the goal of minimizing the maximum makespan, a discrete wolf pack algorithm has been proposed. First, the methods for solving the no-wait flow shop scheduling problem and the application research of the wolf pack algorithm were summarized, and it was pointed out that there was lack of research on the application of the wolf pack algorithm to solve the no-wait flow shop scheduling problem. According to the analysis of characteristics of the no-wait flow shop scheduling problem, the individual wolf was coded by a decimal integer; wolf searching behavior was realized through the exchange of different code bits in the individual wolf, and the continuous code segment of the head wolf was randomly selected to replace the corresponding code of the fierce wolf, by which the behaviors of wolves raiding and sieging were realized, and the population was updated according to the rule of “survival of the strong.” In particular, to fully explore the potential optimal solution in the solution space, loop operations were added to the wandering, summoning, and siege processes. Finally, based on a comparison with the leapfrog algorithm and the genetic algorithm, the effectiveness of the algorithm was verified.