A One-Parameter Genetic Algorithm for the Minimum Labeling Spanning Tree Problem

Abstract

Given a connected, undirected graph G whose edges are labeled (or colored), the minimum labeling spanning tree (MLST) problem seeks a spanning tree on G with the minimum number of distinct labels (or colors). In recent work, the MLST problem has been shown to be NP-hard and an effective heuristic [maximum vertex covering algorithm (MVCA)] has been proposed and analyzed. We use a one-parameter genetic algorithm (GA) to solve the problem. In computational tests, the GA clearly outperforms MVCA.