Efficient Deterministic Algorithms for Vertex Coloring in Sparse Graphs using Adaptive Massively Parallel Computation

Core Concepts

This work presents deterministic algorithms for efficiently computing vertex colorings in sparse graphs parameterized by their arboricity, a measure of sparsity, in the Adaptive Massively Parallel Computation (AMPC) model.

Abstract

The paper studies the vertex coloring problem in graphs with low arboricity, a measure of sparsity. The key contributions are:

An efficient deterministic Local Computation Algorithm (LCA) that computes a "weak" version of a β-partition, which is a partition of the vertices into layers such that each node has at most β neighbors in higher layers. This LCA uses a sublinear number of queries per node.

Leveraging the LCA, the authors design deterministic AMPC algorithms that compute a complete β-partition with different trade-offs between the number of layers and the runtime.

Using the computed β-partitions, the authors present several AMPC coloring algorithms that provide different guarantees on the number of colors used and the runtime. These include:

An O(α^2+ε)-coloring in O(1/ε) rounds
An O(α^2)-coloring in O(log α) rounds
A ((2+ε)α + 1)-coloring in O(α log α) rounds

The key technical challenge is that the color of a node may depend on almost all other nodes in the graph, and these dependencies cannot be stored on a single machine in the low-space AMPC model. The authors overcome this by carefully exploring the graph structure using their novel LCA.

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Key Insights Distilled From

Adaptive Massively Parallel Coloring in Sparse Graphs

by Rustam Latyp... at arxiv.org 05-03-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2402.13755.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

Can the techniques developed in this work be extended to obtain even more efficient coloring algorithms, e.g., with a sublinear number of colors, in the AMPC model

The techniques developed in this work can potentially be extended to obtain more efficient coloring algorithms in the AMPC model. By further refining the algorithms and exploring different trade-offs between runtime and the number of colors used, it may be possible to achieve a sublinear number of colors in certain scenarios. For example, by optimizing the process of computing acyclic orientations with low out-degree and leveraging this information effectively, it might be feasible to design algorithms that produce colorings with even fewer colors. Additionally, by incorporating insights from related research on graph coloring and parallel computation, new approaches could be developed to enhance the efficiency of coloring algorithms in the AMPC model.

What are the limitations of deterministic algorithms compared to randomized ones in the context of graph problems in the AMPC model

Deterministic algorithms in the context of graph problems in the AMPC model have certain limitations compared to randomized algorithms. One key limitation is that deterministic algorithms are more constrained in terms of their ability to explore different paths or solutions due to their deterministic nature. This can sometimes lead to challenges in efficiently handling complex graph structures or finding optimal solutions. On the other hand, randomized algorithms have the advantage of introducing randomness, which can help in exploring a wider range of possibilities and potentially finding better solutions.
Reducing the gap between deterministic and randomized algorithms in the AMPC model is a challenging task. One approach to potentially narrow this gap is to design hybrid algorithms that combine the strengths of both deterministic and randomized techniques. By leveraging the efficiency of deterministic algorithms in certain aspects and the exploratory power of randomized algorithms in others, it may be possible to develop more effective algorithms that bridge the divide between the two approaches. Additionally, further research into algorithmic techniques that can mimic the flexibility of randomness in a deterministic setting could also help reduce the gap between deterministic and randomized algorithms in the AMPC model.

Can the gap between the two be reduced

The insights from this work on computing acyclic orientations with low out-degree can be applied to other graph problems in the AMPC model to improve algorithm efficiency. By utilizing the concept of acyclic orientations to reduce the complexity of graph structures and optimize the coloring process, similar techniques can be employed in various graph-related problems. For instance, in problems requiring graph traversal or connectivity analysis, the idea of acyclic orientations can help in streamlining the computation and reducing the overall complexity of the algorithms. By adapting the principles of acyclic orientations to different graph problems, it is possible to enhance the performance and scalability of algorithms in the AMPC model.