Complexity Theory: Exploring the Limits of Efficient Algorithms

Ingo Wegener

Springer Science & Business Media, Jul 5, 2005 - Computers - 308 pages

Complexity theory is the theory of determining the necessary resources for the solution of algorithmic problems and, therefore, the limits of what is possible with the available resources. An understanding of these limits prevents the search for non-existing efficient algorithms. This textbook considers randomization as a key concept and emphasizes the interplay between theory and practice:

New branches of complexity theory continue to arise in response to new algorithmic concepts, and its results - such as the theory of NP-completeness - have influenced the development of all areas of computer science.

The topics selected have implications for concrete applications, and the significance of complexity theory for today's computer science is stressed throughout.

Contents

• Introduction: 1
• Algorithmic Problems Their Complexity: 11
• Fundamental Complexity Classes: 25
• Reductions Algorithmic Relationships Between Problems: 43
• The Theory of NPCompleteness 63: 62
• NPcomplete and NPequivalent Problems: 77
• The Complexity Analysis of Problems 89: 88
• The Complexity of Approximation Problems Classical: 99
• The Complexity of Black Box Problems: 115
• Additional Complexity Classes 127: 126
• Interactive Proofs: 145
• The PCP Theorem and the Complexity of Approximation: 161
• Further Topics From Classical Complexity Theory: 185
• The Complexity of Nonuniform Problems 201: 200
• Communication Complexity: 219
• The Complexity of Boolean Functions 251: 250
• Final Comments: 277
• References: 295

About the author

The author is a full professor at the Computer Science Department of Dortmund University. He is the author of 8 monographs and more than 150 journal and conference articles. He was head of the German youth competition in computer science and has obtained the university medal for excellent teaching. He is an elected member of the German Academy of Sciences and was head of the committee reviewing computer research projects in Germany.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Complexity Theory: Exploring the Limits of Efficient Algorithms
• Author: Ingo Wegener
• Translated by: R. Pruim
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media, 2005
• ISBN: 3540274774, 9783540274773
• Length: 308 pages
• Subjects: Computers / Information Technology; Computers / Information Theory; Computers / Programming / Algorithms; Computers / Programming / General; Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science / General; Mathematics / Discrete Mathematics; Mathematics / Logic; Mathematics / Numerical Analysis