Introduction to Search Algorithms

The truthfully worldwide influence of the Web has instigated a new awareness among computer engineers and laymen alike of the massive importance of search engines' usability along with user interface designs. In the last two decades, the underlying phenomena and principles of search interfaces and search engines have been explored extensively. Numerous researchers and computer scientists have developed a variety of innovative interface system designs; however, only the most widely acceptable succeed in making their way into major search engines. This book comprehensively attempts to encapsulate these advances, offering the state of the art of algorithms, for both academic and commercial perspectives. The basic objective of the search algorithms is to find solutions with particular characteristics and under certain set of constraints. A solution may entail the value assignments to different variables which will satisfy the sub-structure or constraints in a given discrete architecture. Additionally, there are a substantial number search algorithms (e.g., probabilistic), which are designed for the potential quantum computers. This book illustrates the broad applicability of fundamental search algorithms for the intention of establishing practical solutions to various problems which arise in a range of problem domains. This book is meant for a wide range of reader which include researchers, students, practitioners and computer scientists. The chapters of this book are mainly structured into three parts which include topics on fundamentals of search algorithms, different types of search algorithms and applications of search algorithms in different sectors. The field of search algorithms is a rapidly-changing field, and any effort to summarize the develop ments in this area will be proven obsolete in future. However, certain techniques and principles seem to hold stable over the decades, and this book contain substantial information regarding the search algorithms which should stand valid for decades to come. Book jacket.