Dynamic Parameterized Problems and Algorithms

Abstract

Fixed-parameter algorithms and kernelization are two powerful methods to solve $\mathsf{NP}$-hard problems. Yet, so far those algorithms have been largely restricted to static inputs. In this paper we provide fixed-parameter algorithms and kernelizations for fundamental $\mathsf{NP}$-hard problems with dynamic inputs. We consider a variety of parameterized graph and hitting set problems which are known to have $f(k)n^{1+o(1)}$ time algorithms on inputs of size $n$, and we consider the question of whether there is a data structure that supports small updates (such as edge/vertex/set/element insertions and deletions) with an update time of $g(k)n^{o(1)}$; such an update time would be essentially optimal. Update and query times independent of $n$ are particularly desirable. Among many other results, we show that Feedback Vertex Set and $k$-Path admit dynamic algorithms with $f(k)\log^{O(1)}n$ update and query times for some function $f$ depending on the solution size $k$ only. We complement our positive results by several conditional and unconditional lower bounds. For example, we show that unlike their undirected counterparts, Directed Feedback Vertex Set and Directed $k$-Path do not admit dynamic algorithms with $n^{o(1)}$ update and query times even for constant solution sizes $k\leq 3$, assuming popular hardness hypotheses. We also show that unconditionally, in the cell probe model, Directed Feedback Vertex Set cannot be solved with update time that is purely a function of $k$.