Depth First Search in the Semi-streaming Model

Depth first search (DFS) tree is a fundamental data structure for solving various graph problems. The classical algorithm for building a DFS tree requires O(m+n) time for a given undirected graph G having n vertices and m edges. In the streaming model, an algorithm is allowed several passes (preferably single) over the input graph having a restriction on the size of local space used. Now, a DFS tree of a graph can be trivially computed using a single pass if O(m) space is allowed. In the semi-streaming model allowing O(n) space, it can be computed in O(n) passes over the input stream, where each pass adds one vertex to the DFS tree. However, it remains an open problem to compute a DFS tree using o(n) passes using o(m) space even in any relaxed streaming environment. We present the first semi-streaming algorithms that compute a DFS tree of an undirected graph in o(n) passes using o(m) space. We first describe an extremely simple algorithm that requires at most ceil[n/k] passes to compute a DFS tree using O(nk) space, where k is any positive integer. For example using k=sqrt{n}, we can compute a DFS tree in sqrt{n} passes using O(n sqrt{n}) space. We then improve this algorithm by using more involved techniques to reduce the number of passes to ceil[h/k] under similar space constraints, where h is the height of the computed DFS tree. In particular, this algorithm improves the bounds for the case where the computed DFS tree is shallow (having o(n) height). Moreover, this algorithm is presented in form of a framework that allows the flexibility of using any algorithm to maintain a DFS tree of a stored sparser subgraph as a black box, which may be of an independent interest. Both these algorithms essentially demonstrate the existence of a trade-off between the space and number of passes required for computing a DFS tree. Furthermore, we evaluate these algorithms experimentally which reveals their exceptional performance in practice. For both random and real graphs, they require merely a few passes even when allowed just O(n) space