We study the problem of searching for a hidden target in an environment that is modeled by an edge-weighted graph. A sequence of edges is chosen starting from a given root vertex such that each edge is adjacent to a previously chosen edge. This search paradigm, known as expanding search was recently introduced by Apern and Lidbetter [2013] for modeling problems such as searching for coal or minesweeping in which the cost of re-exploration is negligible. It can also be used to model a team of searchers successively splitting up in the search for a hidden adversary or explosive device, for example. We define the search ratio of an expanding search as the maximum over all vertices of the ratio of the time taken to reach the vertex and the shortest-path cost to it from the root. This can be interpreted as a measure of the multiplicative regret incurred in searching, and similar objectives have previously been studied in the context of conventional (pathwise) search. In this paper we address algorithmic and computational issues of minimizing the search ratio over all expanding searches, for a variety of search environments, including general graphs, trees and star-like graphs. Our main results focus on the problem of finding the randomized expanding search with minimum expected search ratio, which is equivalent to solving a zero-sum game between a Searcher and a Hider. We solve these problems for certain classes of graphs, and obtain constant-factor approximations for others.
It must be emphasized that star search has applications that are not necessarily confined to the concept of locating a target (which explains its significance and popularity). Indeed star search offers an abstraction that applies naturally in settings in which we seek an intelligent allocation of resources to tasks. More precisely, it captures decision-making aspects when the objective is to successfully complete at least one task, without knowing in advance the completion time of each task. Some concrete applications include: drilling for oil in a number of different locations in @cite_1 ; the design of efficient interruptible algorithms, i.e., algorithms that return acceptable solutions even if interrupted during their execution in @cite_37 and @cite_19 ; and database query optimization (in particular, pipelined filter ordering in @cite_10 ). We discuss the latter work in more detail in .
@cite_19 @cite_37 @cite_1 @cite_10
2011058337 1548134621 1995434882 1971267722
We present a novel, general, optimally fast, incremental way of searching for a universal algorithm that solves each task in a sequence of tasks. The Optimal Ordered Problem Solver (OOPS) continually organizes and exploits previously found solutions to earlier tasks, efficiently searching not only the space of domain-specific algorithms, but also the space of search algorithms. Essentially we extend the principles of optimal nonincremental universal search to build an incremental universal learner that is able to improve itself through experience. The initial bias is embodied by a task-dependent probability distribution on possible program prefixes. Prefixes are self-delimiting and executed in online fashion while being generated. They compute the probabilities of their own possible continuations. Let p^n denote a found prefix solving the first n tasks. It may exploit previously stored solutions p^i, i >n, by calling them as subprograms, or by copying them and editing the copies before applying them. We provide equal resources for two searches that run in parallel until p^ n+1 is discovered and stored. The first search is exhaustive; it systematically tests all possible prefixes on all tasks up to n+1. The second search is much more focused; it only searches for prefixes that start with p^n, and only tests them on task n+1, which is safe, because we already know that such prefixes solve all tasks up to n. Both searches are depth-first and bias-optimal: the branches of the search trees are program prefixes, and backtracking is triggered once the sum of the runtimes of the current prefix on all current tasks exceeds the prefix probability multiplied by the total search time so far. In illustrative experiments, our self-improver becomes the first general system that learns to solve all n disk Towers of Hanoi tasks (solution size 2^n-1) for n up to 30, profiting from previously solved, simpler tasks involving samples of a simple context free language. We critically evaluate the current state of research in multiple query opGrnization, synthesize the requirements for a modular opCrnizer, and propose an architecture. Our objective is to facilitate future research by providing modular subproblems and a good general-purpose data structure. In rhe context of this archiuzcture. we provide an improved subsumption algorithm. and discuss migration paths from single-query to multiple-query oplimizers. The architecture has three key ingredients. First. each type of work is performed at an appropriate level of abstraction. Segond, a uniform and very compact representation stores all candidate strategies. Finally, search is handled as a discrete optimization problem separable horn the query processing tasks. 1. Problem Definition and Objectives A multiple query optimizer (h4QO) takes several queries as input and seeks to generate a good multi-strategy, an executable operator gaph that simultaneously computes answers to all the queries. The idea is to save by evaluating common subexpressions only once. The commonalities to be exploited include identical selections and joins, predicates that subsume other predicates, and also costly physical operators such as relation scans and SOULS. The multiple query optimization problem is to find a multi-strategy that minimizes the total cost (with overlap exploited). Figure 1 .l shows a multi-strategy generated exploiting commonalities among queries Ql-Q3 at both the logical and physical level. To be really satisfactory, a multi-query optimization algorithm must offer solution quality, ejjiciency, and ease of Permission to copy without fee all a part of this mataial is granted provided that the copies are nut made a diitributed for direct commercial advantage, the VIDB copyright notice and the title of the publication and its date appear, and notice is given that copying is by permission of the Very Large Da Blse Endowment. To copy otherwise. urturepublim identify many kinds of commonalities (e.g., by predicate splitting, sharing relation scans); and search effectively to choose a good combination of l-strategies. Efficiency requires that the optimization avoid a combinatorial explosion of possibilities, and that within those it considers, redundant work on common subexpressions be minimized. ‘Finally, ease of implementation is crucial an algorithm will be practically useful only if it is conceptually simple, easy to attach to an optimizer, and requires relatively little additional soft- We consider the problem of searching for an object on a line at an unknown distance OPT from the original position of the searcher, in the presence of a cost of d for each time the searcher changes direction. This is a generalization of the well-studied linear-search problem. We describe a strategy that is guaranteed to find the object at a cost of at most 9 ċ OPT + 2d, which has the optimal competitive ratio 9 with respect to OPT plus the minimum corresponding additive term. Our argument for upper and lower bound uses an infinite linear program, which we solve by experimental solution of an infinite series of approximating finite linear programs, estimating the limits, and solving the resulting recurrences for an explicit proof of optimality. We feel that this technique is interesting in its own right and should help solve other searching problems. In particular, we consider the star search or cowpath problem with turn cost, where the hidden object is placed on one of m rays emanating from the original position of the searcher. For this problem we give a tight bound of (1 + 2mm (m - 1)m-1)OPT + m((m (m - 1))m-1 - 1)d. We also discuss tradeoffs between the corresponding coefficients and we consider randomized strategies on the line. Abstract In order to reap the potential advantage of less extensive searching which bidirectional heuristic search algorithms offer, strategies are needed to influence the two search wavefronts to meet such that early termination will occur. The principled search control strategy aims to achieve this without trading running time, but can be found wanting still. An improved algorithm BS∗ is described which expands significantly less nodes on average than any other algorithm in the same class of non-wave-shaping admissible bidirectional algorithms. When pitted against BHPA, the only other heuristically guided member in this class, BS∗'s average search efficiency in time and space is about 30 better. BS∗'s superior performance stems from the use of all opportunities to achieve early termination and the elimination of unfruitful avenues by search reduction operations: nipping, pruning, trimming and screening. Such operations exploit information gathered during search and have several spin-offs: more accurate guidance of search control, early exposure of nonpromising nodes and reduced bookkeeping overheads, all of which further enhance BS∗'s performance. A further noteworthy feature of BS∗ is that it is the first staged search algorithm which preserves admissibility.