Online Computation and Competitive Analysis

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Online Computation and Competitive Analysis
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Allan Borodin
By (author) Ran El-Yaniv
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:436
Dimensions(mm): Height 246,Width 188
Category/GenreComputer programming and software development
ISBN/Barcode 9780521619462
ClassificationsDewey:005.1
Audience
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 7 Tables, unspecified; 39 Line drawings, unspecified

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 17 February 2005
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

In online computation a computer algorithm must decide how to act on incoming items of information without any knowledge of future inputs. How should it route the next telephone call? Where in memory should it store a just-closed record? This book provides an in-depth presentation of competitive analysis, an attractive framework within which such problems can be analyzed and solved. In this framework, the quality of an algorithm is measured relative to the best possible performance of an algorithm that has complete knowledge of the future. This methodology for the analysis of online decision making has become a standard approach in computer science. Starting with the basic definitions of the competitive analysis model, the authors present most of the essential techniques through various examples, some of which are among the central problems of the field, such as list accessing, paging in a virtual memory system, routing in a communication network, metrical task systems, k-server systems, load balancing, search, and portfolio selection. The book also shows how competitive analysis relates to more classical subjects such as game theory and decision theory. This is an important text and reference for researchers and graduate students in theoretical computer science and in operations research.

Reviews

"The book is very useful for researchers and graduate students in computer science, mathematics and operations research." Mathematical Reviews