Department of Computer Science | Institute of Theoretical Computer Science | CADMO

Theory of Combinatorial Algorithms

Prof. Emo Welzl and Prof. Bernd Gärtner

Mittagsseminar (in cooperation with A. Steger, D. Steurer and B. Sudakov)

Mittagsseminar Talk Information

Date and Time: Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 12:15 pm

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: OAT S15/S16/S17

Speaker: Karl Bringmann (MPI Saarbrücken)

Succinct Sampling from Discrete Distributions

We revisit the classic problem of sampling from a discrete distribution: Given n positive numbers p1,...,pn, the task is to build a data structure that allows sampling i with probability proportional to pi. The classic solution to this problem is Walker's alias method that takes O(n) preprocessing time and O(1) query time for one sample, which is optimal.

We study the space requirements of this problem, effectively considering it in the world of succinct data structures. For two standard models of succinct data structures, we improve upon the space requirements of Walker's alias method (while keeping the preprocessing and query time asymptotically). Moreover, we complement our data structures with matching lower bounds. On the one hand, our results improve upon the space requirement of the classic solution for a fundamental sampling problem, on the other hand, they provide the strongest known separation between two standard models of succinct data structures for any data structure problem.


Upcoming talks     |     All previous talks     |     Talks by speaker     |     Upcoming talks in iCal format (beta version!)

Previous talks by year:   2024  2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998  1997  1996  

Information for students and suggested topics for student talks


Automatic MiSe System Software Version 1.4803M   |   admin login