Potentialities of Nonsmooth Optimization

Abstract

In this paper, we show that higher-order optimality conditions can be obtain for arbitrary nonsmooth function. We introduce a new higher-order directional derivative and higher-order subdifferential of Hadamard type of a given proper extended real function. This derivative is consistent with the classical higher-order Fr\'echet directional derivative in the sense that both derivatives of the same order coincide if the last one exists. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions of order $n$ ($n$ is a positive integer) for a local minimum and isolated local minimum of order $n$ in terms of these derivatives and subdifferentials. We do not require any restrictions on the function in our results. A special class $\mathcal F_n$ of functions is defined and optimality conditions for isolated local minimum of order $n$ for a function $f\in\mathcal F_n$ are derived. The derivative of order $n$ does not appear in these characterizations. We prove necessary and sufficient criteria such that every stationary point of order $n$ is a global minimizer. We compare our results with some previous ones.