Heuristic Search: Theory and Applications

Search has been vital to artificial intelligence from the very beginning as a core technique in problem solving. The authors present a thorough overview of heuristic search with a balance of discussion between theoretical analysis and efficient implementation and application to real-world problems. Current developments in search such as pattern databases and search with efficient use of external memory and parallel processing units on main boards and graphics cards are detailed.

Heuristic search as a problem solving tool is demonstrated in applications for puzzle solving, game playing, constraint satisfaction and machine learning. While no previous familiarity with heuristic search is necessary the reader should have a basic knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and calculus. Real-world case studies and chapter ending exercises help to create a full and realized picture of how search fits into the world of artificial intelligence and the one around us.

*Provides real-world success stories and case studies for heuristic search algorithms *Includes many AI developments not yet covered in textbooks such as pattern databases, symbolic search, and parallel processing units

Table of Contents

Part I: Heuristic Search Primer
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Basic Search Algorithms
Chapter 3. *Dictionary Data Structures
Chapter 4. Automatically Created Heuristics

Part II: Heuristic Search Under Memory Constraints
Chapter 5. Linear-Space Search
Chapter 6. Memory-Restricted Search
Chapter 7. Symbolic Search
Chapter 8. External Search

Part III: Heuristic Search Under Time Constraints
Chapter 9. Distributed Search
Chapter 10. State Space Pruning
Chapter 11. Real-Time Search

Part IV: Heuristic Search Variants
Chapter 12. Adversary Search
Chapter 13. Constraint Search
Chapter 14. Selective Search

Part V: Heuristic Search Applications
Chapter 15. Action Planning
Chapter 16. Automated System Verification
Chapter 17. Vehicle Navigation
Chapter 18. Computational Biology
Chapter 19. Robotics