## On generating all maximal independent sets.(English)Zbl 0654.68086

We present an algorithm that generates all maximal independent sets of a graph in lexicographic order, with only polynomial delay between the output of two successive independent sets. We also show that there is no polynomial-delay algorithm for generating all maximal independent sets in reverse lexicographic order, unless $$P=NP$$.

### MSC:

 68R10 Graph theory (including graph drawing) in computer science 68Q25 Analysis of algorithms and problem complexity

### Keywords:

enumeration; NP-complete; independent sets; lexicographic order
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### References:

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