Izquierdo Sebastián, J.; Montalvo Arango, I.; Campbell, E.; Pérez García, R. (2015). A hybrid, auto-adaptive, and rule-based multi-agent approach using evolutionary algorithms for improved searching. Engineering Optimization. 1-13. doi:10.1080/0305215X.2015.1107434.A hybrid, auto-adaptive, and rule-based multi-agent approach using evolutionary algorithms for improved searching Selecting the most appropriate heuristic for solving a specific problem is not easy. The reasons are manifold. This article focus on one of these reasons: traditionally, the solution search process has operated in a given manner regardless of the specific problem being solved, and the process has been the same no matter the size, complexity, and domain of the problem. To cope with this situation, search processes should mould the search into areas of the search space that are meaningful for the problem. This article builds on previous work in the development of a multi-agent paradigm through the use of techniques derived from knowledge discovery (data mining techniques) on databases of so-far visited solutions. The aim is to improve search mechanisms, increase computational efficiency, and enrich through rules the formulation of optimization problems -while reducing the search space and catering to realistic problems.