The idealization of [[echolocation]] can be summarized as follows: Each virtual bat flyflies randomly with a velocity <math>v_i</math> at position (solution) <math>x_i</math> with a varying frequency or wavelength and loudness <math>A_i</math>. As it searches and finds
its prey, it changes frequency, loudness and pulse emission rate <math>r</math>. Search is intensified by a local [[random walk]]. Selection of the best continues until certain stop criteria are met.
A detailed intrudctionintroduction of metaheuristic algorithms including the bat algorithm is given by Yang <ref>Yang, X. S., Nature-Inspired Metaheuristic Algoirthms, 2nd Edition, Luniver Press, (2010).</ref> where a demo program in Matlab/Octave is available, while a comprehensive review is carried out by Parpinelli and Lopes.<ref>Parpinelli, R. S., and Lopes, H. S., New inspirations in swarm intelligence: a survey,Int. J. Bio-Inspired Computation, Vol. 3, 1-16 (2011).</ref>