Matching Patterns with Variables in Approximate Settings

Abstract

First and foremost, I hereby express my sincere gratitude and thank my supervisor, Florin Manea, for the excellent guidance and support throughout my studies. Florin is very knowledgeable in many areas of theoretical computer science, encouraging and helpful with new research ideas, and a highly cheerful person throughout my entire studies and everyday work. I am very grateful that he is swift in answering requests and always finds time to discuss research.Secondly, I would like to thank my second supervisor, Carsten Damm. I have been working as a Tutor for Carsten since my Bachelor studies and enjoyed taking his advanced courses in theoretical computer science. Carsten also convinced me to pursue doctoral studies with the back then "new" professor at our institute, Florin Manea. Looking back, I am very grateful for all of these things.Further, I express my gratitude towards Jens Grabowski, who advised me very well with all the formal requirements as a member of the thesis advisory committee.I also extend my many thanks to the entire working group. A special thank you goes to Maria Kosche, Tore Koß, and Paul Sarnighausen-Cahn as my future academic siblings, co-authors, and thesis proofreaders. I am thankful for the amicable and relaxed work environment I experienced with the previously mentioned group members and our master students Tina Ringleb, Timo Specht, and Maximilian Winkler, who work on the same floor. Speaking of people working on the same floor, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Henrik Brosenne, whom I closely collaborated with in teaching, as well as Heike Jachinke and Patricia Nitzke, who were always helping us regarding formal problems, such as traveling, room bookings, and much more, making it exceptionally convenient to deal with.