Approximation Algorithms
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • a wide variety of topics
  • Very nice introduction
  • Short and Sweet
  • Much needed desktop reference for anyone working with algorithms, networking protocols, optimization
  • Only for graduate level - very good
Approximation Algorithms
Vijay V. Vazirani
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Web GraphicsWeb Graphics | Web Design | Web Development | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Algorithms | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
All DealsAll Deals | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
All Amazon UpgradeAll Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Randomized Algorithms Randomized Algorithms
  2. Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Complexity Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Complexity
  3. Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-Completeness (Series of Books in the Mathematical Sciences) Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-Completeness (Series of Books in the Mathematical Sciences)
  4. Approximation Algorithms for NP-Hard Problems Approximation Algorithms for NP-Hard Problems
  5. Probability and Computing: Randomized Algorithms and Probabilistic Analysis Probability and Computing: Randomized Algorithms and Probabilistic Analysis

Accessories:
  1. Parallel and Distributed Processing and Applications: 4th International Symposium, ISPA 2006, Sorrento, Italy, December 4-6, 2006, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science) Parallel and Distributed Processing and Applications: 4th International Symposium, ISPA 2006, Sorrento, Italy, December 4-6, 2006, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science)
  2. Algorithms and Computation: 17th International Symposium, ISAAC 2006, Kolkata, India, December 18-20, 2006, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science) Algorithms and Computation: 17th International Symposium, ISAAC 2006, Kolkata, India, December 18-20, 2006, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science)

ASIN: 3540653678

Book Description

This book covers the dominant theoretical approaches to the approximate solution of hard combinatorial optimization and enumeration problems. It contains elegant combinatorial theory, useful and interesting algorithms, and deep results about the intrinsic complexity of combinatorial problems. Its clarity of exposition and excellent selection of exercises will make it accessible and appealing to all those with a taste for mathematics and algorithms.

Richard Karp,University Professor, University of California at Berkeley

Following the development of basic combinatorial optimization techniques in the 1960s and 1970s, a main open question was to develop a theory of approximation algorithms. In the 1990s, parallel developments in techniques for designing approximation algorithms as well as methods for proving hardness of approximation results have led to a beautiful theory. The need to solve truly large instances of computationally hard problems, such as those arising from the Internet or the human genome project, has also increased interest in this theory. The field is currently very active, with the toolbox of approximation algorithm design techniques getting always richer.

It is a pleasure to recommend Vijay Vazirani's well-written and comprehensive book on this important and timely topic. I am sure the reader will find it most useful both as an introduction to approximability as well as a reference to the many aspects of approximation algorithms.

László Lovász, Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars a wide variety of topics.......2006-11-07

Vazirani's book seems well suited for a computer science researcher who has had a rigorous background in pure maths. The level of difficulty can be quite advanced. Also, it is not the sort of book that gives algorithm examples in an actual programming language. Not that this should be a handicap to a skilled reader. The algorithms are usually described in high level pseudocode. You have to manually instantiate these in the language of your preference.

The 30 chapters span a wide variety of computational topics. Some are simpler than others to understand. Like the chapter on finding the shortest vector from the integer lattice made from a set of linearly independent vectors. That requires only a year or so of introductory linear algebra.

There are exercises for each chapter. Some exercises are formidable. Essentially like little research problems in their own right. Another plus for the book.

5 out of 5 stars Very nice introduction.......2006-05-20

This is a quite nice book by an author who is well-known in the field. The book is not thematic, instead it presents certain problems in each chapter along with the main approximation algorithms and correctness proofs. Yet, each new concept is well introduced with the problems. For instance, the author presents LP-based techniques on the same problem (set cover) in the second part of the book. This makes it quite easy to compare and understand different techniques. The last part of the book is a little bit advanced compared to the first two parts which uses combinatorial or LP-based analysis of the algorithms. The presentation of the PCP theorem- arguably the deepest theorem of computer science- and its consequences are also in the last part.

A warning though: The book is quite terse at times, which enforces a dense reading. This may not be suitable for an undergradute study. My only complaint is that the PCP theorem might well be introduced with a little more intution.

Overall, I rate this book as excellent. If you are interested in algorithms, you should definitely buy it. Also, buy the "Complexity and Approximation" by Ausiello, Crescenzi and others. They provide a more comprehensive and thematic treatment. It also has an excellent bibliography and list of NP-hard problems. These two will make a great couple. The book edited by Hochbaum (Approximation Algorithms for NP-hard problems) on the other hand presents detailed information on the algorithms.

5 out of 5 stars Short and Sweet.......2006-03-13

This is a fanastic topics book in approximation algorithms. The problems and proofs are challenging and concise, but written in a very accessible manner. It is a great reference book, and also a convenient place to grab a lecture from if you need something to fill our a course. I have found it extremely useful, and even fun to read. I highly reccomend it for any person interested in theoretical computer science.

5 out of 5 stars Much needed desktop reference for anyone working with algorithms, networking protocols, optimization.......2006-03-09

I have been looking for books related to solving NP-complete and NP-hard problems approximately. There is another book by Hochbaum and I have that too. Unfortunately, that book is more of a research oriented book as it is written by several researchers. It's like reading several research papers within two hard covers. This means that one needs to have a sort of intermediate level of experience with approximation algorithms.

For a beginner, one would expect a book that starts from ground-up and that has been written as a textbook rather than as a set of research papers. The book by Dr. Vazirani, is the only book that is written by one author with a step-by-step evolution of concepts and ideas related to approximation algorithms.

5 out of 5 stars Only for graduate level - very good.......2005-11-22

Very good, it is easy to read the book if you have a good level
of knowledge and the experience to think some details in the
proofs of the theorems.
I think it is a very good book for a graduate student.
Approximation Algorithms for NP-Hard Problems
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A good survey on approximation algorithms
Approximation Algorithms for NP-Hard Problems

Manufacturer: Course Technology
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Algorithms | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Science | Subjects | Books
Discrete MathematicsDiscrete Mathematics | Pure Mathematics | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
Linear ProgrammingLinear Programming | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
General & ReferenceGeneral & Reference | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books
Discrete MathematicsDiscrete Mathematics | Pure Mathematics | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Science BooksLook Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ProfessionalProfessional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ScienceScience | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Approximation Algorithms Approximation Algorithms
  2. Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Complexity Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Complexity
  3. Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-Completeness (Series of Books in the Mathematical Sciences) Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-Completeness (Series of Books in the Mathematical Sciences)
  4. Randomized Algorithms Randomized Algorithms
  5. Probability and Computing: Randomized Algorithms and Probabilistic Analysis Probability and Computing: Randomized Algorithms and Probabilistic Analysis

ASIN: 0534949681

Book Description

This is the first book to fully address the study of approximation algorithms as a tool for coping with intractable problems. With chapters contributed by leading researchers in the field, this book introduces unifying techniques in the analysis of approximation algorithms.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A good survey on approximation algorithms.......2000-05-09

Developing approximation algorithms for NP hard problems is now a very active field in Mathematical Programming and Theoretical Computer Science. This book is actually a collection of survey articles written by some of the foremost experts in this field.

Many of these developments are due to Mathemtical programming (primal dual, semidefinite programming et al). The most exciting of these has been the Goemans and Williamson algorithm for MAX CUT and MAX SAT. A good account of these techniques appears in Chapters 4 and 11.

On the other hand a sequence of unexpected results in complexity culminated in a proof that many of these problems cannot have polynomial approximation algorithms unless P=NP. A good survey of "Hardness of Approximations" appears in Chapter 10, written by Sanjeev Arora and Carsten Lund both of whom were responsible for some original developments in this field.

I am going to purchase a copy of this book and can only strongly recommend it to everyone.
Introduction to Stochastic Search and Optimization
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Great book!!!
  • Recommended to scholars and graduate students
Introduction to Stochastic Search and Optimization
James C. Spall
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Science | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
Linear ProgrammingLinear Programming | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
Probability & StatisticsProbability & Statistics | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Linear ProgrammingLinear Programming | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
StatisticsStatistics | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Stochastic ModelingStochastic Modeling | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Science BooksLook Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ProfessionalProfessional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ScienceScience | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Monte Carlo Statistical Methods (Springer Texts in Statistics) Monte Carlo Statistical Methods (Springer Texts in Statistics)
  2. Stochastic Optimization Methods Stochastic Optimization Methods
  3. Practical Methods of Optimization Practical Methods of Optimization
  4. Introduction to Stochastic Programming (Springer Series in Operations Research and Financial Engineering) Introduction to Stochastic Programming (Springer Series in Operations Research and Financial Engineering)
  5. Numerical Optimization (Springer Series in Operations Research and Financial Engineering) Numerical Optimization (Springer Series in Operations Research and Financial Engineering)

ASIN: 0471330523

Book Description

Download Description

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great book!!!.......2004-12-07

A must have for anyone interested in otimization! Extremely well written and objective.

5 out of 5 stars Recommended to scholars and graduate students.......2003-09-23

Introduction to Stochastic Search and Optimization provides comprehensive, current information on methods for real-world problem solving, including stochastic gradient and non-gradient techniques, as well as relatively recent innovations such as simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, and MCMC. It is written to be read and understood by graduate students, industrial practitioners, and experienced researchers in the field. Web links to software and data sets, and an extensive list of references of the book allows the reader to explore deeper into certain topic areas. I also found the index to be very comprehensive and carefully done. The appendices are as a refresher and summary of much of the prerequisite material. The book is somewhat unique in providing a balanced discussion of algorithms, including both their strengths and weaknesses. The book is among very few books that have integrated essential parts of statistical fields with optimization and decision making. The book's inclusion of a chapter on optimal experimental design is an example of such integration. The approaches discussed in the book could be used for financial decision making, forecasting, and quality improvement, among many other areas.
Spectral Methods: Fundamentals in Single Domains (Scientific Computation)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Spectral Methods: Fundamentals in Single Domains (Scientific Computation)
    C. Canuto , M.Y. Hussaini , A. Quarteroni , and T.A. Zang
    Manufacturer: Springer
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    GeneralGeneral | Algorithms | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Science | Subjects | Books
    Number SystemsNumber Systems | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
    Mathematical PhysicsMathematical Physics | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
    MechanicsMechanics | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
    Fluid DynamicsFluid Dynamics | Dynamics | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
    Fluid MechanicsFluid Mechanics | Mechanical | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    Number SystemsNumber Systems | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    Mathematical PhysicsMathematical Physics | Physics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    MechanicsMechanics | Physics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Earth Sciences | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
    Look Inside Science BooksLook Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
    All DealsAll Deals | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
    Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
    ScienceScience | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
    All Amazon UpgradeAll Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
    Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
    EngineeringEngineering | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
    Professional & TechnicalProfessional & Technical | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
    ScienceScience | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
    All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    ProfessionalProfessional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    ScienceScience | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Spectral Methods for Time-Dependent Problems (Cambridge Monographs on Applied and Computational Mathematics) Spectral Methods for Time-Dependent Problems (Cambridge Monographs on Applied and Computational Mathematics)
    2. Chebyshev and Fourier Spectral Methods: Second Revised Edition Chebyshev and Fourier Spectral Methods: Second Revised Edition
    3. Spectra and Pseudospectra: The Behavior of Nonnormal Matrices and Operators Spectra and Pseudospectra: The Behavior of Nonnormal Matrices and Operators
    4. Spectral Methods in MATLAB (Software, Environments, Tools) Spectral Methods in MATLAB (Software, Environments, Tools)
    5. Spectral Methods for Incompressible Viscous Flow Spectral Methods for Incompressible Viscous Flow

    Accessories:
    1. Asymptotic Analysis and Boundary Layers (Scientific Computation) Asymptotic Analysis and Boundary Layers (Scientific Computation)
    2. Models of the Atomic Nucleus: With Interactive Software Models of the Atomic Nucleus: With Interactive Software

    ASIN: 3540307257

    Book Description

    Since the publication of "Spectral Methods in Fluid Dynamics", spectral methods, particularly in their multidomain version, have become firmly established as a mainstream tool for scientific and engineering computation. While retaining the tight integration between the theoretical and practical aspects of spectral methods that was the hallmark of the earlier book, Canuto et al. now incorporate the many improvements in the algorithms and the theory of spectral methods that have been made since 1988. The initial treatment Fundamentals in Single Domains discusses the fundamentals of the approximation of solutions to ordinary and partial differential equations on single domains by expansions in smooth, global basis functions. The first half of the book provides the algorithmic details of orthogonal expansions, transform methods, spectral discretization of differential equations plus their boundary conditions, and solution of the discretized equations by direct and iterative methods. The second half furnishes a comprehensive discussion of the mathematical theory of spectral methods on single domains, including approximation theory, stability and convergence, and illustrative applications of the theory to model boundary-value problems. Both the algorithmic and theoretical discussions cover spectral methods on tensor-product domains, triangles and tetrahedra. All chapters are enhanced with material on the Galerkin with numerical integration version of spectral methods. The discussion of direct and iterative solution methods is greatly expanded as are the set of numerical examples that illustrate the key properties of the various types of spectral approximations and the solution algorithms.

    A companion book "Evolution to Complex Geometries and Applications to Fluid Dynamics" contains an extensive survey of the essential algorithmic and theoretical aspects of spectral methods for complex geometries and provides detailed discussions of spectral algorithms for fluid dynamics in simple and complex geometries.

    Algorithms for Minimization Without Derivatives
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Algorithms for Minimization Without Derivatives
      Richard P. Brent
      Manufacturer: Dover Publications
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

      GeneralGeneral | Algorithms | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Science | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
      MathematicsMathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books | Applied | Chaos & Systems | Geometry & Topology | Mathematical Analysis | Mathematical Physics | Number Systems | Pure Mathematics | Transformations | Trigonometry
      Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
      Look Inside Science BooksLook Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
      ASIN: 0486419983

      Book Description

      Outstanding text for graduate students and research workers proposes improvements to existing algorithms, extends their related mathematical theories, and offers details on new algorithms for approximating local and global minima. Many numerical examples, along with complete analysis of rate of convergence for most of the algorithms and error bounds that allow for the effect of rounding errors.
      Handbook of Approximation Algorithms and Metaheuristics (Chapman & Hall/Crc Computer and Information Science Series)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Handbook of Approximation Algorithms and Metaheuristics (Chapman & Hall/Crc Computer and Information Science Series)

        Manufacturer: Chapman & Hall/CRC
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

        GeneralGeneral | Algorithms | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Operating Systems | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Science | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
        Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
        All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        ASIN: 1584885505

        Book Description

        Delineating the tremendous growth in this area, the Handbook of Approximation Algorithms and Metaheuristics covers fundamental, theoretical topics as well as advanced, practical applications. It is the first book to comprehensively study both approximation algorithms and metaheuristics. Starting with basic approaches, the handbook presents the methodologies to design and analyze efficient approximation algorithms for a large class of problems, and to establish inapproximability results for another class of problems. It also discusses local search, neural networks, and metaheuristics, as well as multiobjective problems, sensitivity analysis, and stability. After laying this foundation, the book applies the methodologies to classical problems in combinatorial optimization, computational geometry, and graph problems. In addition, it explores large-scale and emerging applications in networks, bioinformatics, VLSI, game theory, and data analysis. Undoubtedly sparking further developments in the field, this handbook provides the essential techniques to apply approximation algorithms and metaheuristics to a wide range of problems in computer science, operations research, computer engineering, and economics. Armed with this information, researchers can design and analyze efficient algorithms to generate near-optimal solutions for a wide range of computational intractable problems.

        Complexity and Approximation: Combinatorial Optimization Problems and Their Approximability Properties
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • Complexity book
        • A great sequel to Garey and Johnson
        • A great sequel to Garey and Johnson
        Complexity and Approximation: Combinatorial Optimization Problems and Their Approximability Properties
        G. Ausiello , P. Crescenzi , V. Kann , Marchetti-sp , Giorgio Gambosi , and Alberto M. Spaccamela
        Manufacturer: Springer
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

        GeneralGeneral | Algorithms | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Algebra | Pure Mathematics | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
        Game TheoryGame Theory | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
        Game TheoryGame Theory | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Algebra | Pure Mathematics | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Reference | Subjects | Books
        Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
        Look Inside Reference BooksLook Inside Reference Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
        All Amazon UpgradeAll Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
        Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
        Professional & TechnicalProfessional & Technical | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
        ReferenceReference | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
        ScienceScience | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
        All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        ProfessionalProfessional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        ReferenceReference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        ScienceScience | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        Similar Items:
        1. Approximation Algorithms Approximation Algorithms
        2. Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Complexity Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Complexity
        3. Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-Completeness (Series of Books in the Mathematical Sciences) Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-Completeness (Series of Books in the Mathematical Sciences)
        4. Randomized Algorithms Randomized Algorithms
        5. Probability and Computing: Randomized Algorithms and Probabilistic Analysis Probability and Computing: Randomized Algorithms and Probabilistic Analysis

        ASIN: 3540654313

        Book Description

        This book is an up-to-date documentation of the state of the art in combinatorial optimization, presenting approximate solutions of virtually all relevant classes of NP-hard optimization problems. The well-structured wealth of problems, algorithms, results, and techniques introduced systematically will make the book an indispensible source of reference for professionals. The smooth integration of numerous illustrations, examples, and exercises make this monograph an ideal textbook.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Complexity book.......2007-08-24

        The book is excellent for teaching approximation algorithms. The book was new, but I benefit of a reduced price (probably promotional).

        5 out of 5 stars A great sequel to Garey and Johnson.......2001-03-30

        This book is a great sequel to Garey and Johnson. The appendix of this book gives a list of all NP optimisation problems together with their current approximability (or inapproximability results) in a Garey Johnson fashion.

        Developing approximation algorithms for NP hard problems is now a very active field in Mathematical Programming and Theoretical Computer Science. There have been a number of exciting developments like semidefinite programming , the Goemans Williamson algorithm for max cut et al.

        On the other hand, from a theoretical computer science point of view, we now have a proof that many of these problems cannot have polynomial approximation algorithms unless P=NP.

        This book provides an excellent introduction to both areas. A worthy supplement to Garey and Johnson, Papadimitriou's books on combinatorial optimisation and computational complexity, Hochbaum's book on approximation algorithms, Alon and Spencer's book on the probabilistic method and finally Motwani and Raghavan's book on randomised algorithms.

        5 out of 5 stars A great sequel to Garey and Johnson.......2001-03-30

        This book is a great sequel to Garey and Johnson. The appendix of this book gives a list of all NP optimisation problems together with their current approximability (or inapproximability results) in a Garey Johnson fashion.

        Developing approximation algorithms for NP hard problems is now a very active field in Mathematical Programming and Theoretical Computer Science. There have been a number of exciting developments like semidefinite programming , the Goemans Williamson algorithm for max cut et al.

        On the other hand, from a theoretical computer science point of view, we now have a proof that many of these problems cannot have polynomial approximation algorithms unless P=NP.

        This book provides an excellent introduction to both areas. A worthy supplement to Garey and Johnson, Papadimitriou's books on combinatorial optimisation and computational complexity, Hochbaum's book on approximation algorithms, Alon and Spencer's book on the probabilistic method and finally Motwani and Raghavan's book on randomised algorithms.
        Algorithms on Trees and Graphs
        Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
        • Intersting Studies Hampered by LEDA and LP Dependencies
        Algorithms on Trees and Graphs
        Gabriel Valiente
        Manufacturer: Springer
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

        GeneralGeneral | Algorithms | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
        Graph TheoryGraph Theory | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
        CombinatoricsCombinatorics | Pure Mathematics | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
        Discrete MathematicsDiscrete Mathematics | Pure Mathematics | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
        Graph TheoryGraph Theory | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
        CombinatoricsCombinatorics | Pure Mathematics | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
        Discrete MathematicsDiscrete Mathematics | Pure Mathematics | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
        Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
        All Amazon UpgradeAll Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
        Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
        Professional & TechnicalProfessional & Technical | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
        ScienceScience | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
        All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        ProfessionalProfessional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        ScienceScience | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        Similar Items:
        1. Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Complexity Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Complexity
        2. The Algorithm Design Manual The Algorithm Design Manual

        Accessories:
        1. Hydrogen bonding - new insights (Challenges and Advances in Computational Chemistry and Physics) Hydrogen bonding - new insights (Challenges and Advances in Computational Chemistry and Physics)
        2. Free Energy Calculations (Springer Series in Chemical Physics) Free Energy Calculations (Springer Series in Chemical Physics)
        3. Atomistic Approaches in Modern Biology (Topics in Current Chemistry) Atomistic Approaches in Modern Biology (Topics in Current Chemistry)

        ASIN: 3540435506

        Book Description

        Graph algorithms is a well-established subject in mathematics and computer science. Beyond classical application fields, like approximation, combinatorial optimization, graphics, and operations research, graph algorithms have recently attracted increased attention from computational molecular biology and computational chemistry. Centered around the fundamental issue of graph isomorphism, this text goes beyond classical graph problems of shortest paths, spanning trees, flows in networks, and matchings in bipartite graphs. Advanced algorithmic results and techniques of practical relevance are presented in a coherent and consolidated way. This book introduces graph algorithms on an intuitive basis followed by a detailed exposition in a literate programming style, with correctness proofs as well as worst-case analyses. Furthermore, full C++ implementations of all algorithms presented are given using the LEDA library of efficient data structures and algorithms. Numerous illustrations, examples, and exercises, and a comprehensive bibliography support students and professionals in using the book as a text and source of reference

        Customer Reviews:

        4 out of 5 stars Intersting Studies Hampered by LEDA and LP Dependencies.......2003-12-24

        I'm pleased with the text in this book; the descriptions are almost all clear, and reading through the book gives me insight into some more interesting problems in trees and graphs. The high points of the book are its treaments of tree and graph isomorphism, but I also found the discussions of non-traditional traversal algorithms on trees and graphs very interesting. The author discussions leaf-first, breadth-first, and depth-first traversals and provides algorithms for their implementation. Many of the algorithms include correctness proofs.

        These topics alone made the book worth its to me. A deep academic book that costs less than $50 is nearly unheared-of.

        Unfortunately, there are two flaws that make the book hard to use. In a nutshell, the author expects the reader to buy into a couple of pretty invasive and expensive propositions.

        First, the author decided to use literate programming for all of his presented algorithms and code fragments. This isn't so bad, since literate programming is about documenting code. If you suppose that the author wrote the code, then documented it, then calld it a book, using a tool like literate programming seems like a natural choice.

        But if you're not familiar with literate programming, it's a bit of a chore. The author's introduction to literate programming doesn't help with some of the questions even an experienced programmer might have wend reading the text. More practically, literate programming enforces operators that are different than most C/C++ developers are familiar with, and can cause confusion when reading the text. ^ is used, for example, to indicate a logical and, where C/C++ developers expect it to indicate a bitwise-exclusive or.

        While it's esay to eventually overcome such tricks of memory, I've been finding it hard to scan literate programs to find definitions and declarations. The author doesn't include a CD (and at this cover price, that is hard to fault) but also doesn't make his code available for download. His website includes a LEDA-based program that interactively demonstrates some algorithms, but doesn't include code for the algorithm his own books develops and discusses.

        The other decision made by the author, to the overwhelming inconvenience of this reader, is the reliance on the LEDA library for his samples and programs. The algorithms are understandable without the library, but a reader without access to LEDA doesn't benefit from any of the visualizations the author provides. , and several include

        In fact, the author spends about 40 pages discussing LEDA and the characteristics of its implementation. Maybe researchers working on tree and graph algorithms all use LEDA and have ready access to it, but the literate programming code provided to for some of the algorithms isn't useful to readers who aren't familiar with LEDA, as researching the definitions and declarations themsleves becomes arduous.

        The bibliography is very diverse, with more than 380 entries and is well-cited throughout the book. Unfortunately, the author sometimes relies on the bibliography too much. On page 392, the author brings up "the so-called graph isopomorphism disease" without defining it himself; he instead relies on his bibliography entries to give the user any definition or background on the "disease".

        Unfortunately, the index received not nearly as much attention as the bibliography; neglecting whitespace, it's scarcely more than a single page long!

        The book appears to be something more than a research paper, but is written much like a research apper would be. The book probably also serves well for a class that teaches this subject, and assumes LEDA and literate programming as prerequisites. But as a commercial developer who's interested in applying advanced graph and tree algorithms to the work I'm doing, I found the book has limited its value by relying on LEDA and applying literate programming.

        All this said, I still feel it's appropriate to give the book four stars. The material covered is hard to find elsewhere, and with some effort I can overcome the LEDA and literate programming hurdles. Since I don't use LEDA or literate programming day-to-day, I'll have to overcome that unfamiliarity every time I pick up the book as a reference.
        Stochastic Approximation and Recursive Algorithms and Applications (Stochastic Modelling and Applied Probability)
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Stochastic Approximation and Recursive Algorithms and Applications (Stochastic Modelling and Applied Probability)
          Harold J. Kushner , and G. George Yin
          Manufacturer: Springer
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

          GeneralGeneral | Science | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
          Probability & StatisticsProbability & Statistics | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
          ResearchResearch | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Medicine | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
          StatisticsStatistics | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
          Stochastic ModelingStochastic Modeling | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
          All Amazon UpgradeAll Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
          MedicineMedicine | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
          Professional & TechnicalProfessional & Technical | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
          ScienceScience | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
          All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
          MedicineMedicine | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
          ProfessionalProfessional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
          ScienceScience | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
          Similar Items:
          1. Introduction to Stochastic Search and Optimization Introduction to Stochastic Search and Optimization
          2. The Malliavin Calculus and Related Topics (Probability and its Applications) The Malliavin Calculus and Related Topics (Probability and its Applications)

          ASIN: 0387008942

          Book Description

          The book presents a thorough development of the modern theory of stochastic approximation or recursive stochastic algorithms for both constrained and unconstrained problems. There is a complete development of both probability one and weak convergence methods for very general noise processes. The proofs of convergence use the ODE method, the most powerful to date, with which the asymptotic behavior is characterized by the limit behavior of a mean ODE. The assumptions and proof methods are designed to cover the needs of recent applications. The development proceeds from simple to complex problems, allowing the underlying ideas to be more easily understood. Rate of convergence, iterate averaging, high-dimensional problems, stability-ODE methods, two time scale, asynchronous and decentralized algorithms, general correlated and state-dependent noise, perturbed test function methods, and large devitations methods, are covered. Many motivational examples from learning theory, ergodic cost problems for discrete event systems, wireless communications, adaptive control, signal processing, and elsewhere, illustrate the application of the theory. This second edition is a thorough revision, although the main features and the structure remain unchanged. It contains many additional applications and results, and more detailed discussion. Harold J. Kushner is a University Professor and Professor of Applied Mathematics at Brown University. He has written numerous books and articles on virtually all aspects of stochastic systems theory, and has received various awards including the IEEE Control Systems Field Award.
          Algorithm Engineering: 4th International Workshop, WAE 2000 Saarbrücken, Germany, September 5-8, 2000 Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science)
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Algorithm Engineering: 4th International Workshop, WAE 2000 Saarbrücken, Germany, September 5-8, 2000 Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science)

            Manufacturer: Springer
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Paperback

            GeneralGeneral | Algorithms | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
            Software DevelopmentSoftware Development | Software Design, Testing & Engineering | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
            Structured DesignStructured Design | Software Design, Testing & Engineering | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
            Database DesignDatabase Design | Databases | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Databases | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
            Systems Analysis & DesignSystems Analysis & Design | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Software Engineering | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Science | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Medicine | Subjects | Books
            All Amazon UpgradeAll Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
            Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
            MedicineMedicine | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
            ScienceScience | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
            All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
            Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
            MedicineMedicine | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
            ScienceScience | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
            ASIN: 3540425128

            Book Description

            This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Algorithm Engineering, WAE 2000, held in Saarbrücken, Germany in September 2000. The 19 revised full papers presented together with one invited paper were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 30 submissions. Among the topics addressed are software repositories allowing for the use and experimentation with efficient discrete algorithms; novel uses of discrete algorithms; methodological issues on algorithms and data structures; and methodological issues on converting user requirements into efficient algorithmic and implementation solutions.

            Books:

            1. Artificial Vision for Mobile Robots
            2. Beginning C ++ Through Game Programming, Second Edition
            3. Building Automated Trading Systems: With an Introduction to Visual C++.NET 2005 (Financial Market Technology)
            4. Building Your Business with Google For Dummies
            5. C# Language Pocket Reference
            6. CCNP BCMSN Official Exam Certification Guide (4th Edition) (Exam Certification Guide)
            7. Cisco LAN Switching (CCIE Professional Development series) (CCIE Professional Development)
            8. CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, Third Edition (All-in-One)
            9. Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems
            10. Cocoa(R) Programming for Mac(R) OS X (2nd Edition)

            Books Index

            Books Home

            Recommended Books

            1. Law, Legislation and Liberty, Volume 2: The Mirage of Social Justice
            2. History: Fiction or Science
            3. Accounting Information for Business Decisions Preliminary Edition: Chapters 1-14 and 15-24
            4. Cuban Cigar Tobacco: Why Cuban Cigars Are the World's Best
            5. Enterprise Risk Management: From Incentives to Controls
            6. Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato
            7. General Jo Shelby: Undefeated Rebel
            8. How to Conduct Supplier Surveys and Audits
            9. Companion to the History of Economic Thought
            10. Companion to the History of the Middle East