Skip to main content
Log in

Algorithms over partially ordered sets

  • Published:
BIT Numerical Mathematics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We here study some problems concerned with the computational analysis of finite partially ordered sets. We begin (in § 1) by showing that the matrix representation of a binary relationR may always be taken in triangular form ifR is a partial ordering. We consider (in § 2) the chain structure in partially ordered sets, answer the combinatorial question of how many maximal chains might exist in a partially ordered set withn elements, and we give an algorithm for enumerating all maximal chains. We give (in § 3) algorithms which decide whether a partially ordered set is a (lower or upper) semi-lattice, and whether a lattice has distributive, modular, and Boolean properties. Finally (in § 4) we give Algol realizations of the various algorithms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. G. Birkhoff,Lattice Theory, Amer. Math. Soc. Colloq. Publ. XXV, rev. ed. 1961.

  2. E. Szpilrajn,Sur l'extension de l'ordre partiel, Fund. Math. 16 (1930), 386–389.

    Google Scholar 

  3. R. M. Baer,Certain homomorphisms onto chains, Arch. Math. 8 (1957), 93–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. A Proposal for Input-Output conventions in ALGOL 60, Comm. ACM, 7 (1964), 273–283.

  5. Control Data Corp., 3000/6000 Algol Generic Reference Manual, Dec. 1967, Pub. No. 60214900.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Baer, R.M., Østerby, O. Algorithms over partially ordered sets. BIT 9, 97–118 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01933247

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01933247

Keywords

Navigation