changepointGA: An R package for Fast Changepoint Detection via Genetic Algorithm

Abstract: Genetic algorithm (GA) are stochastic search techniques designed to address combinatorial optimization problems by mimicking the principles of natural selection and evolution. GAs have proven effective in both single and multiple changepoint analyses within time series data, where each chromosome encodes the hyperparameters, number, and locations of changepoints, along with the associated model parameters. Starting with a population of potential changepoint configurations, GAs utilize genetic operators -- selection, crossover, and mutation -- to evolve toward solutions with enhanced fitness. This paper presents the R package changepointGA, which encodes changepoint chromosomes in an integer format. Furthermore, changepointGA facilitates the dynamic and simultaneous estimation of changepoint models hyperparameters, changepoint configurations, and model parameters, leading to more robust and accurate analyses. Several simulation studies and real-world applications are discussed to illustrate the package capabilities.