An Introduction to Kolmogorov Complexity and Its Applications (Monographs in Computer Science) - Hardcover

Li, Ming; Vitanyi, Paul

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0387940537 ISBN 13: 9780387940533

Publisher: Springer, 1994

Synopsis

With this book, the authors are trying to present in a unified treatment an introduction to the central ideas and their applications of the Kolmogorov Complexity, the theory dealing with the quantity of information in individual objects. This book is appropriate for either a one- or two-semester introductory course in departments of computer science, mathematics, physics, probability theory and statistics, artificial intelligence, and philosophy. Although the mathematical theory of Kolmogorov complexity contains sophisticated mathematics, the amount of math one needs to know to apply the notions in widely divergent areas, is very little. The authors' purpose is to develop the theory in detail and outline a wide range of illustrative applications. This book is an attempt to grasp the mass of fragmented knowledge of this fascinating theory. Chapter 1 is a compilation of material on the diverse notations and disciplines we draw upon in order to make the book self-contained. The mathematical theory of Kolmogorov complexity is treated in chapters 2-4; the applications are treated in chapters 4-8.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Written by two experts in the field, this book is ideal for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and researchers in computer science, mathematics, cognitive sciences, philosophy, artificial intelligence, statistics, and physics. It is self-contained in that it contains the basic requirements from mathematics and computer science. Included are also numerous problem sets, comments, source references, and hints to solutions of problems, as well as a great deal of new material not included in the first edition.

Review

"This is a great book. The other extant literature on Kolmogorov complexity is scattered, in need of translation, or otherwise hard to access. This book puts at all in one place in a readable, enjoyable style. In this second edition, the authors have added many new results that have been proven since the first edition was published in 1993." -- ACM's Computing Reviews

...provides a stimulating and welcome presentation that theory which deals with the quantity of information in individual objects...this book should be considered a must read for researchers and practitioners interested in maintaining an awareness of theories important to the advancement in finance. -- Randall. B. Caldwell, Journal of Computational Intelligence, FRANCE

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0387940537
• ISBN 13: 9780387940533
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 546