(definition)
Definition: Given a finite collection of subsets of a finite ground set, to find an optimal subcollection whose union covers the ground set.
See also packing, vertex cover, set cover, path cover.
Note: From Algorithms and Theory of Computation Handbook, page 32-39, Copyright © 1999 by CRC Press LLC. Appearing in the Dictionary of Computer Science, Engineering and Technology, Copyright © 2000 CRC Press LLC.
Author: CRC-A
If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul Black.
Entry modified 17 December 2004.
HTML page formatted Wed Mar 13 12:42:45 2019.
Cite this as:
Algorithms and Theory of Computation Handbook, CRC Press LLC, 1999, "covering", in
Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY)
Available from: https://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/covering.html