Subcubic algorithms for recursive state machines

We show that the reachability problem for recursive state machines (or equivalently, pushdown systems), believed for long to have cubic worst-case complexity, can be solved in slightly subcubic time. All that is necessary for the new bound is a simple adaptation of a known technique. We also show that a better algorithm exists if the input machine does not have infinite recursive loops.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: POPL
• Authors: Swarat Chaudhuri
• Keywords: Cubic Worst-case Complexity, Infinite Recursive Loops, POPL 2008, Programming Languages, Recursive State Machines