Analysis of algorithms beyond the worst case

Abstract

This report documents the program and the outcomes of Dagstuhl Seminar 14372 Analysis of Algorithms Beyond the Worst Case. The theory of algorithms has traditionally focused on worst-case analysis. This focus has led to both a deep theory and many beautiful and useful algorithms. However, there are a number of important problems and algorithms for which worst-case analysis does not provide useful or empirically accurate results. This is due to the fact that worst-case inputs are often rather contrived and occur hardly ever in practical applications. Only in recent years a paradigm shift towards a more realistic and robust algorithmic theory has been initiated. The development of a more realistic theory hinges on finding models that measure the performance of an algorithm not only by its worst-case behavior but rather by its behavior on typical inputs. In this seminar, we discussed various recent theoretical models and results that go beyond worst-case analysis. The seminar helped to consolidate the research and to foster collaborations among the researchers working in the different branches of analysis of algorithms beyond the worst case.