A local prime factor decomposition algorithm

This work is concerned with the prime factor decomposition (PFD) of strong product graphs. A new quasi-linear time algorithm for the PFD with respect to the strong product for arbitrary, finite, connected, undirected graphs is derived. Moreover, since most graphs are prime although they can have a product-like structure, also known as approximate graph products, the practical application of the well-known "classical" prime factorization algorithm is strictly limited. This new PFD algorithm is based on a local approach that covers a graph by small factorizable subgraphs and then utilizes this information to derive the global factors. Therefore, we can take advantage of this approach and derive in addition a method for the recognition of approximate graph products. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.