Set Covering Algorithms in Edit Generation

Results are presented from a comparison study of several set covering algorithms (routines) used in the implicit edit generation algorithms of Gar nkel, Kunnathur, and Liepins [1986] and Winkler [1997]. The edit generation algorithms are based on the Fellegi and Holt model [1976] of editing. Since the set covering routine is called many times in edit generation, an e cient routine will signi cantly reduce the computing time of the generation process. Unlike most of the applications of the set covering problem (SCP), in which an optimal cover is desirable, the edit generation is interested in nding all the prime covers to a SCP.