New and classical results in computational complexity, including interactive proofs, PCP, derandomization, and quantum computation. Ideal for graduate students.

A complete treatment of fundamentals and recent advances in complexity theory Complexity theory studies the inherent difficulties of solving algorithmic problems by digital computers. This comprehensive work discusses the major topics in complexity theory, including fundamental topics as well as recent breakthroughs not previously available in book form. Theory of Computational Complexity offers a thorough presentation of the fundamentals of complexity theory, including NP-completeness theory, the polynomial-time hierarchy, relativization, and the application to cryptography. It also examines the theory of nonuniform computational complexity, including the computational models of decision trees and Boolean circuits, and the notion of polynomial-time isomorphism. The theory of probabilistic complexity, which studies complexity issues related to randomized computation as well as interactive proof systems and probabilistically checkable proofs, is also covered. Extraordinary in both its breadth and depth, this volume: * Provides complete proofs of recent breakthroughs in complexity theory * Presents results in well-defined form with complete proofs and numerous exercises * Includes scores of graphs and figures to clarify difficult material An invaluable resource for researchers as well as an important guide for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, Theory of Computational Complexity is destined to become the standard reference in the field.

The classical theory of computation has its origins in the work of Goedel, Turing, Church, and Kleene and has been an extraordinarily successful framework for theoretical computer science. The thesis of this book, however, is that it provides an inadequate foundation for modern scientific computation where most of the algorithms are real number algorithms. The goal of this book is to develop a formal theory of computation which integrates major themes of the classical theory and which is more directly applicable to problems in mathematics, numerical analysis, and scientific computing. Along the way, the authors consider such fundamental problems as: * Is the Mandelbrot set decidable? * For simple quadratic maps, is the Julia set a halting set? * What is the real complexity of Newton's method? * Is there an algorithm for deciding the knapsack problem in a ploynomial number of steps? * Is the Hilbert Nullstellensatz intractable? * Is the problem of locating a real zero of a degree four polynomial intractable? * Is linear programming tractable over the reals? The book is divided into three parts: The first part provides an extensive introduction and then proves the fundamental NP-completeness theorems of Cook-Karp and their extensions to more general number fields as the real and complex numbers. The later parts of the book develop a formal theory of computation which integrates major themes of the classical theory and which is more directly applicable to problems in mathematics, numerical analysis, and scientific computing.

This volume presents four machine-independent theories of computational complexity, which have been chosen for their intrinsic importance and practical relevance. The book includes a wealth of results - classical, recent, and others which have not been published before.In developing the mathematics underlying the size, dynamic and structural complexity measures, various connections with mathematical logic, constructive topology, probability and programming theories are established. The facts are presented in detail. Extensive examples are provided, to help clarify notions and constructions. The lists of exercises and problems include routine exercises, interesting results, as well as some open problems.

This book offers a comprehensive perspective to modern topics in complexity theory, which is a central field of the theoretical foundations of computer science. It addresses the looming question of what can be achieved within a limited amount of time with or without other limited natural computational resources. Can be used as an introduction for advanced undergraduate and graduate students as either a textbook or for self-study, or to experts, since it provides expositions of the various sub-areas of complexity theory such as hardness amplification, pseudorandomness and probabilistic proof systems.

Praise for the First Edition "...complete, up-to-date coverage of computational complexitytheory...the book promises to become the standard reference oncomputational complexity." -Zentralblatt MATH A thorough revision based on advances in the field ofcomputational complexity and readers’ feedback, the SecondEdition of Theory of Computational Complexity presentsupdates to the principles and applications essential tounderstanding modern computational complexity theory. The newedition continues to serve as a comprehensive resource on the useof software and computational approaches for solving algorithmicproblems and the related difficulties that can be encountered. Maintaining extensive and detailed coverage, Theory ofComputational Complexity, Second Edition, examines the theoryand methods behind complexity theory, such as computational models,decision tree complexity, circuit complexity, and probabilisticcomplexity. The Second Edition also features recentdevelopments on areas such as NP-completeness theory, as wellas: A new combinatorial proof of the PCP theorem based on thenotion of expander graphs, a research area in the field of computerscience Additional exercises at varying levels of difficulty to furthertest comprehension of the presented material End-of-chapter literature reviews that summarize each topic andoffer additional sources for further study Theory of Computational Complexity, Second Edition, is anexcellent textbook for courses on computational theory andcomplexity at the graduate level. The book is also a usefulreference for practitioners in the fields of computer science,engineering, and mathematics who utilize state-of-the-art softwareand computational methods to conduct research. Athorough revision based on advances in the field of computationalcomplexity and readers’feedback,the Second Edition of Theory of Computational Complexity presentsupdates to theprinciplesand applications essential to understanding modern computationalcomplexitytheory.The new edition continues to serve as a comprehensive resource onthe use of softwareandcomputational approaches for solving algorithmic problems and therelated difficulties thatcanbe encountered.Maintainingextensive and detailed coverage, Theory of ComputationalComplexity, SecondEdition,examines the theory and methods behind complexity theory, such ascomputationalmodels,decision tree complexity, circuit complexity, and probabilisticcomplexity. The SecondEditionalso features recent developments on areas such as NP-completenesstheory, as well as:•A new combinatorial proof of the PCP theorem based on the notion ofexpandergraphs,a research area in the field of computer science•Additional exercises at varying levels of difficulty to furthertest comprehension ofthepresented material•End-of-chapter literature reviews that summarize each topic andoffer additionalsourcesfor further studyTheoryof Computational Complexity, Second Edition, is an excellenttextbook for courses oncomputationaltheory and complexity at the graduate level. The book is also auseful referenceforpractitioners in the fields of computer science, engineering, andmathematics who utilizestate-of-the-artsoftware and computational methods to conduct research.

This revised and extensively expanded edition of Computability and Complexity Theory comprises essential materials that are core knowledge in the theory of computation. The book is self-contained, with a preliminary chapter describing key mathematical concepts and notations. Subsequent chapters move from the qualitative aspects of classical computability theory to the quantitative aspects of complexity theory. Dedicated chapters on undecidability, NP-completeness, and relative computability focus on the limitations of computability and the distinctions between feasible and intractable. Substantial new content in this edition includes: a chapter on nonuniformity studying Boolean circuits, advice classes and the important result of Karp─Lipton. a chapter studying properties of the fundamental probabilistic complexity classes a study of the alternating Turing machine and uniform circuit classes. an introduction of counting classes, proving the famous results of Valiant and Vazirani and of Toda a thorough treatment of the proof that IP is identical to PSPACE With its accessibility and well-devised organization, this text/reference is an excellent resource and guide for those looking to develop a solid grounding in the theory of computing. Beginning graduates, advanced undergraduates, and professionals involved in theoretical computer science, complexity theory, and computability will find the book an essential and practical learning tool. Topics and features: Concise, focused materials cover the most fundamental concepts and results in the field of modern complexity theory, including the theory of NP-completeness, NP-hardness, the polynomial hierarchy, and complete problems for other complexity classes Contains information that otherwise exists only in research literature and presents it in a unified, simplified manner Provides key mathematical background information, including sections on logic and number theory and algebra Supported by numerous exercises and supplementary problems for reinforcement and self-study purposes