In this paper, we consider the question of determining whether a function f has property P or is e-far from any function with property P. A property testing algorithm is given a sample of the value of f on instances drawn according to some distribution. In some cases, it is also allowed to query f on instances of its choice. We study this question for different properties and establish some connections to problems in learning theory and approximation.In particular, we focus our attention on testing graph properties. Given access to a graph G in the form of being able to query whether an edge exists or not between a pair of vertices, we devise algorithms to test whether the underlying graph has properties such as being bipartite, k-Colorable, or having a p-Clique (clique of density p with respect to the vertex set). Our graph property testing algorithms are probabilistic and make assertions that are correct with high probability, while making a number of queries that is independent of the size of the graph. Moreover, the property testing algorithms can be used to efficiently (i.e., in time linear in the number of vertices) construct partitions of the graph that correspond to the property being tested, if it holds for the input graph.

Property Testing and its connection to Learning and Approximation

Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science

An introduction to the theory of groups

In this article we study the automorphism group ${\rm Aut}(X,\sigma)$ of subshifts $(X,\sigma)$ of low word complexity. In particular, we prove that Aut$(X,\sigma)$ is virtually $\mathbb{Z}$ for aperiodic minimal subshifts and certain transitive subshifts with non-superlinear complexity. More precisely, the quotient of this group relative to the one generated by the shift map is a finite group. In addition, we show that any finite group can be obtained in this way. The class considered includes minimal subshifts induced by substitutions, linearly recurrent subshifts and even some subshifts which simultaneously exhibit non-superlinear and superpolynomial complexity along different subsequences. The main technique in this article relies on the study of classical relations among points used in topological dynamics, in particular, asymptotic pairs. Various examples that illustrate the technique developed in this article are provided. In particular, we prove that the group of automorphisms of a $d$-step nilsystem is nilpotent of order $d$ and from there we produce minimal subshifts of arbitrarily large polynomial complexity whose automorphism groups are also virtually $\mathbb{Z}$.

On automorphism groups of low complexity subshifts

Around probabilistic cellular automata

Picture walking automata were introduced by M. Blum and C. Hewitt in 1967 as a generalization of one-dimensional two-way finite automata to recognize pictures, or two-dimensional words. Several variants have been investigated since then, including deterministic, non-deterministic and alternating transition rules; four-, three- and two-way movements; single- and multi-headed variants; automata that must stay inside the input picture, or that may move outside. We survey results that compare the recognition power of different variants, consider their basic closure properties and study decidability questions.

A survey on picture-walking automata

We study property testing in the context of distributed computing, under the classical CONGEST model. It is known that testing whether a graph is triangle-free can be done in a constant number of rounds, where the constant depends on how far the input graph is from being triangle-free. We show that, for every connected 4-node graph H, testing whether a graph is H-free can be done in a constant number of rounds too. The constant also depends on how far the input graph is from being H-free, and the dependence is identical to the one in the case of testing triangles. Hence, in particular, testing whether a graph is K_4-free, and testing whether a graph is C_4-free can be done in a constant number of rounds (where K_k denotes the k-node clique, and C_k denotes the k-node cycle). On the other hand, we show that testing K_k-freeness and C_k-freeness for k>4 appear to be much harder. Specifically, we investigate two natural types of generic algorithms for testing H-freeness, called DFS tester and BFS tester. The latter captures the previously known algorithm to test the presence of triangles, while the former captures our generic algorithm to test the presence of a 4-node graph pattern H. We prove that both DFS and BFS testers fail to test K_k-freeness and C_k-freeness in a constant number of rounds for k>4.

Distributed Testing of Excluded Subgraphs

We study property testing in the context of distributed computing, under the classical CONGEST model. It is known that testing whether a graph is triangle-free can be done in a constant number of rounds, where the constant depends on how far the input graph is from being triangle-free. We show that, for every connected 4-node graph H, testing whether a graph is H-free can be done in a constant number of rounds too. The constant also depends on how far the input graph is from being H-free, and the dependence is identical to the one in the case of testing triangle-freeness. Hence, in particular, testing whether a graph is $K_4$-free, and testing whether a graph is $C_4$-free can be done in a constant number of rounds (where $K_k$ denotes the k-node clique, and $C_k$ denotes the k-node cycle). On the other hand, we show that testing $K_k$-freeness and $C_k$-freeness for $k\ge 5$ appear to be much harder. Specifically, we investigate two natural types of generic algorithms for testing H-freeness, called DFS tester and BFS tester. The latter captures the previously known algorithm to test the presence of triangles, while the former captures our generic algorithm to test the presence of a 4-node graph pattern H. We prove that both DFS and BFS testers fail to test $K_k$-freeness and $C_k$-freeness in a constant number of rounds for $k\ge 5$.

https://hal.inria.fr/hal-01423633/document

In this article, we prove that for all pairs of primitive Pisot or uniform substitutions with the same dominating eigenvalue, there exists a finite set of block maps such that every block map between the corresponding subshifts is an element of this set, up to a shift.

Block maps between primitive uniform and Pisot substitutions

We study the message size complexity of recognizing, under the broadcast congested clique model, whether a fixed graph H appears in a given graph G as a minor, as a subgraph or as an induced subgraph. The n nodes of the input graph G are the players, and each player only knows the identities of its immediate neighbors. We are mostly interested in the one-round, simultaneous setup where each player sends a message of size ${\mathcal O}\log n$ to a referee that should be able then to determine whether H appears in G. We consider randomized protocols where the players have access to a common random sequence. We completely characterize which graphs H admit such a protocol. For the particular case where H is the path of 4 nodes, we present a new notion called twin ordering, which may be of independent interest.

/pdf/solving-the-induced-subgraph-problem-in-the-randomized-4xoaafhyzg.pdf

Ville Salo

Papers

A survey on picture-walking automata

Distributed Testing of Excluded Subgraphs

Distributed Testing of Excluded Subgraphs

Block maps between primitive uniform and Pisot substitutions

Solving the Induced Subgraph Problem in the Randomized Multiparty Simultaneous Messages Model