Iterative Deepening A* Algorithm (IDA*)

Continually Deepening The depth-first search and A* search's greatest qualities are combined in the heuristic search algorithm known as the A* algorithm (IDA*). The shortest route between the start state and the objective state in a network or tree is found using an optimum search method. The IDA* algorithm uses less memory than the A* algorithm because it simply keeps track of the present node and its associated cost, rather than the full search space that has been examined. This article will examine the IDA* algorithm's operation, as well as its benefits and drawbacks, and practical applications.

Introduction to Heuristic Search Algorithms

In order to identify the best solution to a problem, heuristic search algorithms explore the search area in a methodical manner. They are employed in a number of fields, including robotics, video games, and natural language processing. A heuristic search algorithm uses a heuristic function to evaluate the distance between the current state and the goal state in order to identify the shortest route from the start state to the goal state. There are various heuristic search algorithms, including A* search, Uniform Cost Search (UCS), Depth-First Search (DFS), and Breadth-First Search (BFS).

A* Search Algorithm

A* search algorithm is a well-known heuristic search method that calculates the distance between the current state and the objective state using a heuristic function. The A* search method adds the actual cost from the start node to the current node and the predicted cost from the current node to the target node to determine the cost of each node. A heuristic function that estimates the distance between the current node and the desired node is used to determine the estimated cost. The algorithm then chooses the node with the lowest cost, grows it, and keeps doing this until it reaches the destination node.

As long as the heuristic function is acceptable and consistent, the A* search algorithm assures finding the shortest path to the destination node. This makes it an ideal search method. A heuristic function is considered acceptable if it never overestimates the destination node's distance. According to the triangle inequality, a consistent heuristic function is one in which the estimated cost from the current node to the target node is less than or equal to the actual cost plus the estimated cost from the next node to the goal node.

Iterative Deepening A* Algorithm

In terms of memory utilisation, the IDA* algorithm outperforms the A* search algorithm. The whole examined search space is kept in memory by the A* search method, which can be memory-intensive for large search spaces. Contrarily, the IDA* method just saves the current node and its associated cost, not the whole searched area.

In order to explore the search space, the IDA* method employs depth-first search. Starting with a threshold value equal to the heuristic function's anticipated cost from the start node to the destination node. After that, it expands nodes with an overall price less than or equivalent to the threshold value via a depth-first search starting at the start node. The method ends with the best answer if the goal node is located. The algorithm raises the threshold value to the minimal cost of the nodes that were not extended if the threshold value is surpassed. Once the objective node has been located, the algorithm then repeats the procedure.

The IDA* method is full and optimum in the sense that it always finds the best solution if one exists and stops searching if none is discovered. The technique uses less memory since it just saves the current node and its associated cost, not the full search space that has been investigated. Routing, scheduling, and gaming are a few examples of real-world applications where the IDA* method is often employed.

Steps for Iterative Deepening A* Algorithm (IDA*)

The IDA* algorithm includes the following steps:

• Start with an initial cost limit.

The algorithm begins with an initial cost limit, which is usually set to the heuristic cost estimate of the optimal path to the goal node.

• Perform a depth-first search (DFS) within the cost limit.

The algorithm performs a DFS search from the starting node until it reaches a node with a cost that exceeds the current cost limit.

• Check for the goal node.

If the goal node is found during the DFS search, the algorithm returns the optimal path to the goal.

• Update the cost limit.

If the goal node is not found during the DFS search, the algorithm updates the cost limit to the minimum cost of any node that was expanded during the search.

• Repeat the process until the goal is found.

The algorithm repeats the process, increasing the cost limit each time until the goal node is found.

Example Implementation

Let's look at a graph example to see how the Iterative Deepening A* (IDA*) technique functions. Assume we have the graph below, where the figures in parenthesis represent the expense of travelling between the nodes:

We want to find the optimal path from node A to node F using the IDA* algorithm. The first step is to set an initial cost limit. Let's use the heuristic estimate of the optimal path, which is 7 (the sum of the costs from A to C to F).

1. Set the cost limit to 7.
2. Start the search at node A.
3. Expand node A and generate its neighbors, B and C.
4. Evaluate the heuristic cost of the paths from A to B and A to C, which are 5 and 10 respectively.
5. Since the cost of the path to B is less than the cost limit, continue the search from node B.
6. Expand node B and generate its neighbors, D and E.
7. Evaluate the heuristic cost of the paths from A to D and A to E, which are 10 and 9 respectively.
8. Since the cost of the path to D exceeds the cost limit, backtrack to node B.
9. Evaluate the heuristic cost of the path from A to C, which is 10.
10. Since the cost of the path to C is less than the cost limit, continue the search from node C.
11. Expand node C and generate its neighbor, F.
12. Evaluate the heuristic cost of the path from A to F, which is 7.
13. Since the cost of the path to F is less than the cost limit, return the optimal path, which is A - C - F.

We're done since the ideal route was discovered within the initial pricing range. We would have adjusted the cost limit to the lowest cost of any node that was enlarged throughout the search and then repeated the procedure until the goal node was located if the best path could not be discovered within the cost limit.

A strong and adaptable search algorithm, the IDA* method may be used to identify the best course of action in a variety of situations. It effectively searches huge state spaces and, if there is an optimal solution, finds it by combining the benefits of DFS and A* search.

Advantages

• Completeness: The IDA* method is a complete search algorithm, which means that, if an optimum solution exists, it will be discovered.
• Memory effectiveness: The IDA* method only keeps one path in memory at a time, making it memory efficient.
• Flexibility: Depending on the application, the IDA* method may be employed with a number of heuristic functions.
• Performance: The IDA* method sometimes outperforms other search algorithms like uniform-cost search (UCS) or breadth-first search (BFS) (UCS).
• The IDA* algorithm is incremental, which means that it may be stopped at any time and continued at a later time without losing any progress.
• As long as the heuristic function utilised is acceptable, the IDA* method will always discover the best solution, if one exists. This implies that the algorithm will always choose the route that leads directly to the target node.

Disadvantages

• Ineffective for huge search areas. IDA* potential for being incredibly ineffective for vast search spaces is one of its biggest drawbacks. Since IDA* expands the same nodes using a depth-first search on each iteration, this might result in repetitive calculations.
• Get caught in a nearby minima. The ability of IDA* to become caught in local minima is another drawback.
• Extremely reliant on the effectiveness of the heuristic function. The effectiveness of the heuristic function utilised heavily influences IDA* performance.
• Although IDA* is memory-efficient in that it only saves one path at a time, there are some situations when it may still be necessary to use a substantial amount of memory.
• confined to issues with clear objective states. IDA* is intended for issues when the desired state is clearly defined and identifiable.