copulaedas: An R Package for Estimation of Distribution Algorithms Based on Copulas

The use of probabilistic models based on copulas in EDAs (Estimation of Distribution Algorithms) is currently an active area of research. In this context, the copulaedas package for R intends to provide a platform where EDAs based on copulas can be implemented and studied. The package offers complete implementations of various EDAs based on copulas and vines, a group of well-known benchmark problems, and utility functions to study the behavior of EDAs. It is also possible to implement new algorithms that can be easily integrated into the package, since EDAs are defined using S4 classes with generic functions for its main components. This paper presents copulaedas by providing an overview of EDAs based on copulas, a description of the implementation of the package, and an illustration of its use with examples. The examples include running the EDAs implemented in the package, implementing new algorithms, and performing an empirical study to compare the behavior of a group of algorithms on benchmark functions and a real-world problem.