An unexpected difference between online and offline algorithms is observed.
The natural greedy algorithms are shown to be worst case online optimal for
Online Independent Set and Online Vertex Cover on graphs with 'enough' isolated
vertices, Freckle Graphs. For Online Dominating Set, the greedy algorithm is
shown to be worst case online optimal on graphs with at least one isolated
vertex. These algorithms are not online optimal in general. The online
optimality results for these greedy algorithms imply optimality according to
various worst case performance measures, such as the competitive ratio. It is
also shown that, despite this worst case optimality, there are Freckle graphs
where the greedy independent set algorithm is objectively less good than
another algorithm. It is shown that it is NP-hard to determine any of the
following for a given graph: the online independence number, the online vertex
cover number, and the online domination number.Comment: A footnote in the .tex file didn't show up in the last version. This
was fixe
