Optimal Streaming Algorithms for Graph Matching

Abstract: We present parameterized streaming algorithms for the graph matching problem in both the dynamic and the insert-only models. For the dynamic streaming model, we present a one-pass algorithm that, with high probability, computes a maximum-weight $k$-matching of a weighted graph in $\tilde{O}(Wk^2)$ space and that has $\tilde{O}(1)$ update time, where $W$ is the number of distinct edge weights and the notation $\tilde{O}()$ hides a poly-logarithmic factor in the input size. For the insert-only streaming model, we present a one-pass algorithm that runs in $O(k^2)$ space and has $O(1)$ update time, and that, with high probability, computes a maximum-weight $k$-matching of a weighted graph. The space complexity and the update-time complexity achieved by our algorithms for unweighted $k$-matching in the dynamic model and for weighted $k$-matching in the insert-only model are optimal. A notable contribution of this paper is that the presented algorithms {\it do not} rely on the apriori knowledge/promise that the cardinality of \emph{every} maximum-weight matching of the input graph is upper bounded by the parameter $k$. This promise has been a critical condition in previous works, and lifting it required the development of new tools and techniques.