Global Optimization Toolbox provides functions that search for global solutions to problems that contain multiple maxima or minima. The toolbox includes global search, multistart, pattern search, genetic algorithm, multiobjective genetic algorithm, simulated annealing, and particle swarm solvers. You can use these solvers to solve optimization problems where the objective or constraint function is continuous, discontinuous, stochastic, does not possess derivatives, or includes simulations or black-box functions.

You can improve solver effectiveness by setting options and customizing creation, update, and search functions. You can use custom data types with the genetic algorithm and simulated annealing solvers to represent problems not easily expressed with standard data types. The hybrid function option lets you improve a solution by applying a second solver after the first.