The Loading Time Scheduling Problem (Extended Abstract)

In this paper we study precedence constrained scheduling problems, where the tasks can only be executed on a specified subset of the machines. Each machine has a loading time that is incurred only for the first task that is scheduled on the machine in a particular run. This basic scheduling problem arises in the context of machining on numerically controlled machines, query optimization in databases, and in other artificial intelligence applications. We give the first non-trivial approximation algorithm for this problem. We also prove non-trivial lower bounds on best possible approximation ratios for these problems. These improve on the non-approximability results that are implied by the non-approximability results for the shortest common supersequence problem. We use the same algorithmic technique to obtain approximation algorithms for a problem arising in the context of code generation for parallel machines, and for the weighted shortest common supersequence problem.

Authors

• Randeep Bhatia
• Samir Khuller
• Joseph Naor

Keywords

• Computer science
• Machining
• Approximation algorithms
• Processor scheduling
• Educational institutions
• Scheduling algorithm
• Milling machines
• Drilling
• Query processing
• Databases
• Estimation Algorithm
• Finite Set
• Algorithm For Problem
• Problem Instances
• Setup Time
• Sum Of Time
• Basic Building Blocks
• Approximate Ratio
• Solution Representation
• Letters Of The Alphabet
• Phase Of The Algorithm
• Universal Sequence
• Precedence Constraints
• Execution Cost
• Alphabet Size
• Hardness Results
• Metal Block
• N Log N
• Feasible Solution