Proof complexity is a rich subject drawing on methods from logic, combinatorics, algebra and computer science. This self-contained book presents the basic concepts, classical results, current state of the art and possible future directions in the field. It stresses a view of proof complexity as a whole entity rather than a collection of various topics held together loosely by a few notions, and it favors more generalizable statements. Lower bounds for lengths of proofs, often regarded as the key issue in proof complexity, are of course covered in detail. However, upper bounds are not neglected: this book also explores the relations between bounded arithmetic theories and proof systems and how they can be used to prove upper bounds on lengths of proofs and simulations among proof systems. It goes on to discuss topics that transcend specific proof systems, allowing for deeper understanding of the fundamental problems of the subject.

This book treats bounded arithmetic and propositional proof complexity from the point of view of computational complexity. The first seven chapters include the necessary logical background for the material and are suitable for a graduate course. Associated with each of many complexity classes are both a two-sorted predicate calculus theory, with induction restricted to concepts in the class, and a propositional proof system. The result is a uniform treatment of many systems in the literature, including Buss's theories for the polynomial hierarchy and many disparate systems for complexity classes such as AC0, AC0(m), TC0, NC1, L, NL, NC, and P.

This book treats bounded arithmetic and propositional proof complexity from the point of view of computational complexity. The first seven chapters include the necessary logical background for the material and are suitable for a graduate course. The result is a uniform treatment of many systems in the literature.

The 16 papers reflect some of the breakthroughs over the past dozen years in understanding whether or not logical inferences can be made in certain situations and what resources are necessary to make such inferences, questions that play a large role in computer science and artificial intelligence. They discuss such aspects as lower bounds in proof complexity, witnessing theorems and proof systems for feasible arithmetic, algebraic and combinatorial proof systems, and the relationship between proof complexity and Boolean circuit complexity. No index. Member prices are $47 for institutions and $35 for individuals. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.

Discusses the deep connections between logic and complexity theory, and lists a number of intriguing open problems.

New and classical results in computational complexity, including interactive proofs, PCP, derandomization, and quantum computation. Ideal for graduate students.

Dieses Buch in englischer Sprache widmet sich dem Thema der Effizienz von Beweisstrategien und bietet eine vergleichende und asymptotische Analyse. Das Werk stellt erstmalig asymptotische Schranken für die Größe der von vielen gebräuchlichen Beweisstrategien erzeugten Suchfelder bereit. Auf diese Weise erlaubt es ein theoretisches Verständnis der Effizienz unterschiedlicher Beweisverfahren. Es wird ein fundamental neues Werkzeug für den Effizienzvergleich von Beweisstrategien bereitgestellt. Die zweite Auflage wurde gegenüber der ersten leicht verbessert, neuere Literaturhinweise zudem berücksichtigt. This book is unique in that it gives asymptotic bounds on the sizes of the search spaces generated by many common theorem proving strategies. Thus it permits one to gain a theoretical unterstanding of the efficiencies of many different theorem proving methods. This is a fundamental new tool in the comparative study of theorem proving strategies.