Prior Global Search Stability on Finite Graphs with Uncertainty. May Greedy Search Win? (2305.06331v2)

Abstract: This research paper addresses the stability of search algorithms in complex networks when dealing with incomplete information or uncertainty. We propose a theoretical model to investigate whether a global search algorithm with incomplete prior information can be outperformed by a stochastic greedy search on average. The model incorporates random variables to perturb edge weights in the graph, thus capturing the uncertainty of available information. Our findings indicate that some graphs and uncertainty model parameters exist where the global search algorithm fails under uncertainty conditions, while the random greedy search performs better. We derive a critical curve that separates stable from unstable graphs for global search with incomplete information. Interestingly, the critical curve's behavior changes from monotonic to bell-shaped depending on the uncertainty parameters. We test our proposed model through numerical simulations on various synthetic and real-world graphs with different structures. Our results offer insights into the design and optimization of search algorithms for network-based applications, such as communication networks, social networks, and biological networks. We also discuss the study of memory and associative learning in miniature insects, highlighting the potential of efficient search and walking strategies for small robots or devices that operate in a limited area in space.