The comparison between the statistical heuristic search and \(A^*\) (Q2640290)

Assuming G is a uniform m-ary tree, where m is its branching factor, the heuristic statistical search algorithm (SA) consists of the statistical inference method SPRT (Wald sequential probability ratio test) and BF (best-first) heuristic search. Then the procedure of SA search is divided into two steps: First, it quickly identifies the most promising subtree using a subtree evaluation function a(n) (global statistic or subtree statistic). Based on SPRT, from nodes \(n_{11},n_{12},...,n_{1m}\) in the first level, the m search directions, i.e., the subtrees \(T(n_{11}),...,T(n_{1m})\) rooted at nodes \(n_{11},...,n_{1m}\), are selected and rejected, taking the expanded nodes in each subtree as observed samples. The subtrees which contain the goal with lower probability are rejected. The most promising one is selected. Then, it expands nodes within that subtree using a node evaluation function b(n) (local statistic or node statistic).