In International Journal of Computer and Information Sciences 11 (1982), pp. 55-72.

Searching and Encoding for Infinite Ordered Sets

Quentin F. Stout
EECS Department, University of Michigan

Abstract: We consider the relationships between binary search algorithms and binary prefix encodings of infinite linearly ordered sets. It is known that each search algorithm determines a prefix code, and in three cases we show to what extent the converse is true. For sets similar to the natural numbers we show that search-related codes are as flexible as all prefix codes, while for general ordered sets they are only asymptotically as flexible.

Keywords: unbounded search, binary encodings, prefix codes, search codes, linear order, infinite sets, decision theory, information theory, theoretical comptuer science

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