Improved Greedy Algorithm for Set Covering Problem

Abstract

This paper proposes a greedy algorithm named as Big step greedy set cover algorithm to compute approximate minimum set cover. The Big step greedy algorithm, in each step selects p sets such that the union of selected p sets contains greatest number of uncovered elements and adds the selected p sets to partial set cover. The process of adding p sets is repeated until all the elements are covered. When p=1 it behaves like the classical greedy algorithm.