[SciPy-Dev] Using global minimizer methods from `optimize.minimize` function

[Ralf Gommers]

On Thu, Apr 30, 2020 at 4:43 AM Andrew Nelson <andyfaff at gmail.com> wrote:

>
> But, I think there is another concern that may not have been expressed
>> yet. `x0` is a required, positional argument for `minimize()`, as an array
>> of initial parameter values.   Most of the global optimizers in
>> scipy.optimize do not use `x0`.  Instead, they require bounds and explore
>> the range of values between those bounds.   Would `x0` be required AND
>> ignored for these global optimizers?
>>
>
> The call signature for required positional arguments for `minimize` is
> different to the global optimizers. Being able to call the global
> minimizers via `minimize` would alleviate that. As you say the global
> minimizers do explore within bounds, and don't use an `x0`. The PR (as it
> currently exists) would still require `x0`, and it would be ignored.
> It would be possible to change that behaviour for
> `differential_evolution`, but would require the modification of the code to
> accept an `x0` keyword.
>

Hmm, the signature issue seems quite problematic. The opposite is also
true: `bounds` is optional for minimize(), and cannot be made non-optional,
however for the global optimizers it is required.

Ralf
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