Refined First-fit Bin Packing

	Refined First-fit Bin Packing First-fit (FF) is an online algorithm for bin packing. Its input is a list of items of different sizes. Its output is a ''packing'' - a partition of the items into bins of fixed capacity, such that the sum of sizes of items in each bin is at most the capacity. Ideally, we would like to use as few bins as possible, but minimizing the number of bins is an NP-hard problem. The first-fit algorithm uses the following heuristic: * It keeps a list of open bins, which is initially empty. * When an item arrives, find the ''first'' bin into which the item can fit, if any. If such a bin is found, the new item is placed inside it. Otherwise, a new bin is opened and the coming item is placed inside it. Approximation ratio Denote by FF(L) the number of bins used by First-Fit, and by OPT(L) the optimal number of bins possible for the list L. The analysis of FF(L) was done in several steps. * The first upper bound of FF(L) \leq 1.7\mathrm+3 for FF was proven by Ullman in 1971. * In 1972, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Online Algorithm In computer science, an online algorithm is one that can process its input piece-by-piece in a serial fashion, i.e., in the order that the input is fed to the algorithm, without having the entire input available from the start. In contrast, an offline algorithm is given the whole problem data from the beginning and is required to output an answer which solves the problem at hand. In operations research, the area in which online algorithms are developed is called online optimization. As an example, consider the sorting algorithms selection sort and insertion sort: selection sort repeatedly selects the minimum element from the unsorted remainder and places it at the front, which requires access to the entire input; it is thus an offline algorithm. On the other hand, insertion sort considers one input element per iteration and produces a partial solution without considering future elements. Thus insertion sort is an online algorithm. Note that the final result of an insertion sort ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Bin Packing The bin packing problem is an optimization problem, in which items of different sizes must be packed into a finite number of bins or containers, each of a fixed given capacity, in a way that minimizes the number of bins used. The problem has many applications, such as filling up containers, loading trucks with weight capacity constraints, creating file backups in media and technology mapping in Field-programmable gate array, FPGA semiconductor chip design. Computationally, the problem is NP-hard, and the corresponding decision problem - deciding if items can fit into a specified number of bins - is NP-complete. Despite its worst-case hardness, optimal solutions to very large instances of the problem can be produced with sophisticated algorithms. In addition, many approximation algorithms exist. For example, the First-fit bin packing, first fit algorithm provides a fast but often non-optimal solution, involving placing each item into the first bin in which it will fit. It require ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Heuristic A heuristic (; ), or heuristic technique, is any approach to problem solving or self-discovery that employs a practical method that is not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, or rational, but is nevertheless sufficient for reaching an immediate, short-term goal or approximation. Where finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution. Heuristics can be mental shortcuts that ease the cognitive load of making a decision. Examples that employ heuristics include using trial and error, a rule of thumb or an educated guess. Heuristics are the strategies derived from previous experiences with similar problems. These strategies depend on using readily accessible, though loosely applicable, information to control problem solving in human beings, machines and abstract issues. When an individual applies a heuristic in practice, it generally performs as expected. However it can alternatively cre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	First-fit-decreasing Bin Packing First-fit-decreasing (FFD) is an algorithm for bin packing. Its input is a list of items of different sizes. Its output is a ''packing'' - a partition of the items into bins of fixed capacity, such that the sum of sizes of items in each bin is at most the capacity. Ideally, we would like to use as few bins as possible, but minimizing the number of bins is an NP-hard problem, so we use an approximately-optimal heuristic. Description The FFD algorithm works as follows. * Order the items from largest to smallest. * Open a new empty bin, bin #1. * For each item from largest to smallest, find the ''first'' bin into which the item fits, if any. If such a bin is found, put the new item in it. Otherwise, open a new empty bin put the new item in it. In short: FFD orders the items by descending size, and then calls first-fit bin packing. An equivalent description of the FFD algorithm is as follows. * Order the items from largest to smallest. * While there are remaining items: ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:** [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Online Algorithm In computer science, an online algorithm is one that can process its input piece-by-piece in a serial fashion, i.e., in the order that the input is fed to the algorithm, without having the entire input available from the start. In contrast, an offline algorithm is given the whole problem data from the beginning and is required to output an answer which solves the problem at hand. In operations research, the area in which online algorithms are developed is called online optimization. As an example, consider the sorting algorithms selection sort and insertion sort: selection sort repeatedly selects the minimum element from the unsorted remainder and places it at the front, which requires access to the entire input; it is thus an offline algorithm. On the other hand, insertion sort considers one input element per iteration and produces a partial solution without considering future elements. Thus insertion sort is an online algorithm. Note that the final result of an insertion sort ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]