arXiv subjects

Rod Downey

Publications and source records attributed to Rod Downey.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

$O(n +f(k))$: Truly Linear FPT

Parameterized complexity has always been concerned with practical computing: by confining combinatorial explosion to a secondary parameter $k$, one can uncover why and how many NP-hard problems are effectively tackled in practice. Today, however, the scale of data has changed: scientists study Big Data, which is so large that even quadratic dependence in the total input size $n$ is unaffordable. Therefore, what constitutes a practical algorithm has also changed. Classically, parameterized complexity is blind to the difference between defining fixed parameter tractability multiplicatively (i.e. $f(k) \cdot n^c$) or additively (i.e. $f(k) + n^c$). But what if the constant $c$ is one and we require true linearity, is this distinction still inconsequential? Here, we define and explore Truly Linear FPT (TLFPT) -- that is $O(n)+f(k)$ -- and show that it is a strict subset of Linear FPT (LFPT) -- that is $O(n) \cdot f(k)$ -- via diagonalization. Populating TLFPT requires careful consideration of linear-time algorithmics and data structures. We meet many inhabitants of TLFPT: SAT, Vertex Cover, Min-Max Matching, $(n-k)$-Coloring, Diverse Pair of Matchings, $k$-Path, and $H$-Coloring. Our parameterizations are equally varied. Beyond classical parameters like solution size, we leverage two parameters, treedepth and BFS-width, which are particularly well-suited to the TLFPT regime. We do so by developing techniques based on depth- and breadth-first search. For parameterized complexity to be of service to the scientific community, we need to contend with Big Data. For sufficiently large inputs, FPT beyond linear may not suffice. Thus, there is a practical and theoretical need for more ambitious goals. TLFPT is a first step forward.

cs.CC↗

arXiv2020

A minimal set low for speed

An oracle $A$ is low-for-speed if it is unable to speed up the computation of a set which is already computable: if a decidable language can be decided in time $t(n)$ using $A$ as an oracle, then it can be decided without an oracle in time $p(t(n))$ for some polynomial $p$. The existence of a set which is low-for-speed was first shown by Bayer and Slaman who constructed a non-computable computably enumerable set which is low-for-speed. In this paper we answer a question previously raised by Bienvenu and Downey, who asked whether there is a minimal degree which is low-for-speed. The standard method of constructing a set of minimal degree via forcing is incompatible with making the set low-for-speed; but we are able to use an interesting new combination of forcing and full approximation to construct a set which is both of minimal degree and low-for-speed.

math.LO↗

arXiv2020

Realizing Computably Enumerable Degrees in Separating Classes

We investigate what collections of c.e.\ Turing degrees can be realised as the collection of elements of a separating $\Pi^0_1$ class of c.e.\ degree. We show that for every c.e.\ degree $\mathbf{c}$, the collection $\{\mathbf{c}, \mathbf{0}'\}$ can be thus realized. We also rule out several attempts at constructing separating classes realizing a unique c.e.\ degree. For example, we show that there is no \emph{super-maximal} pair: disjoint c.e.\ sets $A$ and $B$ whose separating class is infinite, but every separator of c.e.\ degree is a finite variant of either $A$ or $\overline{B}$.

math.LO↗

arXiv2020

Foundations of Online Structure Theory II: The Operator Approach

We introduce a framework for online structure theory. Our approach generalises notions arising independently in several areas of computability theory and complexity theory. We suggest a unifying approach using operators where we allow the input to be a countable object of an arbitrary complexity. We give a new framework which (i) ties online algorithms with computable analysis, (ii) shows how to use modifications of notions from computable analysis, such as Weihrauch reducibility, to analyse finite but uniform combinatorics, (iii) show how to finitize reverse mathematics to suggest a fine structure of finite analogs of infinite combinatorial problems, and (iv) see how similar ideas can be amalgamated from areas such as EX-learning, computable analysis, distributed computing and the like. One of the key ideas is that online algorithms can be viewed as a sub-area of computable analysis. Conversely, we also get an enrichment of computable analysis from classical online algorithms.

math.LO↗

arXiv2019

Three topological reducibilities for discontinuous functions

We define a family of three related reducibilities, $\leq_T$, $\leq_{tt}$ and $\leq_m$, for arbitrary functions $f,g:X\rightarrow\mathbb R$, where $X$ is a compact separable metric space. The $\equiv_T$-equivalence classes mostly coincide with the proper Baire classes. We show that certain $\alpha$-jump functions $j_\alpha:2^\omega\rightarrow \mathbb R$ are $\leq_m$-minimal in their Baire class. Within the Baire 1 functions, we completely characterize the degree structure associated to $\leq_{tt}$ and $\leq_m$, finding an exact match to the $\alpha$ hierarchy introduced by Bourgain and analyzed by Kechris and Louveau.

math.LO↗

arXiv2019

Relationships between computability-theoretic properties of problems

A problem is a multivalued function from a set of \emph{instances} to a set of \emph{solutions}. We consider only instances and solutions coded by sets of integers. A problem admits preservation of some computability-theoretic weakness property if every computable instance of the problem admits a solution relative to which the property holds. For example, cone avoidance is the ability, given a non-computable set $A$ and a computable instance of a problem $\mathsf{P}$, to find a solution relative to which $A$ is still non-computable. In this article, we compare relativized versions of computability-theoretic notions of preservation which have been studied in reverse mathematics, and prove that the ones which were not already separated by natural statements in the literature actually coincide. In particular, we prove that it is equivalent to admit avoidance of 1 cone, of $\omega$ cones, of 1 hyperimmunity or of 1 non-$\Sigma^0_1$ definition. We also prove that the hierarchies of preservation of hyperimmunity and non-$\Sigma^0_1$ definitions coincide. On the other hand, none of these notions coincide in a non-relativized setting.

math.LO↗

arXiv2017

On low for speed oracles

Relativizing computations of Turing machines to an oracle is a central concept in the theory of computation, both in complexity theory and in computability theory(!). Inspired by lowness notions from computability theory, Allender introduced the concept of "low for speed" oracles. An oracle A is low for speed if relativizing to A has essentially no effect on computational complexity, meaning that if a decidable language can be decided in time $f(n)$ with access to oracle A, then it can be decided in time poly(f(n)) without any oracle. The existence of non-computable such A's was later proven by Bayer and Slaman, who even constructed a computably enumerable one, and exhibited a number of properties of these oracles as well as interesting connections with computability theory. In this paper, we pursue this line of research, answering the questions left by Bayer and Slaman and give further evidence that the structure of the class of low for speed oracles is a very rich one.

cs.CC↗

arXiv2016

Solovay functions and their applications in algorithmic randomness

Classical versions of Kolmogorov complexity are incomputable. Nevertheless, in 1975 Solovay showed that there are computable functions $f > K+O(1)$ such that for infinitely many strings $\sigma$, $f(\sigma)=K(\sigma)+O(1)$, where $K$ denotes prefix-free Kolmogorov complexity (while $C$ denotes plain Kolmogorov complexity). Such an $f$ is now called a Solovay function. We prove that many classical results about $K$ can be obtained by replacing $K$ by a Solovay function. For example, the three following properties of a function $g$ all hold for the function $K$. (i) The sum of the terms $\sum_n 2^{-g(n)}$ is a Martin-L\"of random real. (ii) A sequence A is Martin-L\"of random if and only if $C(A \upharpoonright n) > n -g(n)-O(1)$. (iii) A sequence A is K-trivial if and only if $K(A \upharpoonright n) < g(n) + O(1)$. We show that when fixing any of these three properties, then among all computable functions exactly the Solovay functions possess this property. Furthermore, this characterization extends accordingly to the larger class of right-c.e. functions.

math.LO↗

arXiv2015

Any FIP real computes a 1-generic

We construct a computable sequence of computable reals $\langle X_i\rangle$ such that any real that can compute a subsequence that is maximal with respect to the finite intersection property can also compute a Cohen 1-generic. This is extended to establish the same result with 2IP in place of FIP.

math.LO↗

arXiv2013

Asymptotic density and the Ershov hierarchy

We classify the asymptotic densities of the $\Delta^0_2$ sets according to their level in the Ershov hierarchy. In particular, it is shown that for $n \geq 2$, a real $r \in [0,1]$ is the density of an $n$-c.e.\ set if and only if it is a difference of left-$\Pi_2^0$ reals. Further, we show that the densities of the $\omega$-c.e.\ sets coincide with the densities of the $\Delta^0_2$ sets, and there are $\omega$-c.e.\ sets whose density is not the density of an $n$-c.e. set for any $n \in \omega$.

math.LO↗

arXiv2009

Kolmogorov Complexity and Solovay Functions

Solovay proved that there exists a computable upper bound f of the prefix-free Kolmogorov complexity function K such that f (x) = K(x) for infinitely many x. In this paper, we consider the class of computable functions f such that K(x) <= f (x)+O(1) for all x and f (x) <= K(x) + O(1) for infinitely many x, which we call Solovay functions. We show that Solovay functions present interesting connections with randomness notions such as Martin-Löf randomness and K-triviality.

cs.CC↗

arXiv2007

On the Orbits of Computably Enumerable Sets

The goal of this paper is to show there is a single orbit of the c.e. sets with inclusion, $\mathcal{E}$, such that the question of membership in this orbit is $Σ^1_1$-complete. This result and proof have a number of nice corollaries: The Scott rank of $\mathcal{E}$ is $ω^{CK}_1+1; Not all orbits are elementarily definable; There is no arithmetic description of all orbits of $\mathcal{E}$; For all finite $α\geq 9$, there is a properly $Δ^0_α$ orbit (from the proof). April 6, 2007, minor changes Nov 20, 2007, minor changes

math.LO↗

arXiv2007

The Complexity of Orbits of Computably Enumerable Sets

The goal of this paper is to announce there is a single orbit of the c.e. sets with inclusion, $\E$, such that the question of membership in this orbit is $\Sigma^1_1$-complete. This result and proof have a number of nice corollaries: the Scott rank of $\E$ is $\wock +1$; not all orbits are elementarily definable; there is no arithmetic description of all orbits of $\E$; for all finite $\alpha \geq 9$, there is a properly $\Delta^0_\alpha$ orbit (from the proof). A few small corrections made in this version

math.LO↗