Skip to main content
Log in

Generating combinations in parallel

  • Part I Computer Science
  • Published:
BIT Numerical Mathematics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A parallel algorithm for generating all combinations ofm out ofn items in lexicographic order is presented. The algorithm usesm processors and runs inO(nCm) time. The cost of the algorithm, which is the parallel running time multiplied by the number of processors used, is optimal to within a constant multiplicative factor in view of the Ω(ncm*m) lower bound on the number of operations required to solve this problem using a sequential computer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. S. G. Akl,Parallel Sorting Algorithms, Academic Press, Orlando, Florida, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  2. P. J. Chase,Algorithm 382: Combinations of M out of N Objects, Communications of the ACM, 13 (6), p. 368, 1970.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. G. Ehrlich,Algorithm 466: Four Combinatorial Algorithms, Communications of the ACM, 16 (11), pp. 690–691, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. G. Ehrlich,Loopless algorithms for generating permmutations, combinations and other combinatorial configurations, Journal of the ACM, 20 (3), pp. 500–513, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. P. Gupta and G. P. Bhattacharjee,Parallel generation of permutations, The Computer Journal, 26 (2), pp. 97–105, 1983.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. H. T. Kung,The structure of parallel algorithms, in:Advances in Computers, M. C. Yovits, Ed., Academic Press, New York, pp. 65–112, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  7. H. S. Stone,Parallel computers, in:Introduction to Computer Architectures, H. S. Stone, Ed., Science Research Associates, Chicago, pp. 363–458, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  8. V. Zakharov,Parallelism and array processing, IEEE Transactions on Computers, C-33 (1), pp. 45–78, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada under Grant NSERC-A3336.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chan, B., Akl, S.G. Generating combinations in parallel. BIT 26, 1–6 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01939357

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01939357

CR categories and subject descriptors

General term

Additional keywords and phrases

Navigation