Finding All Bounded-Length Simple Cycles in a Directed Graph -- Revisited

Abstract

In 2021, Gupta and Suzumura proposed a novel algorithm for enumerating all bounded-length simple cycles in directed graphs (arXiv:2105.10094). In this work, we present a concrete counter-example demonstrating that the proposed algorithm fails to enumerate certain valid cycles. Analyzing it, we pinpoint the precise step at which the original correctness proof breaks down. We also identify a gap in the original proof of the delay bound claimed. Finally, we propose algorithm SimpleSearch avoiding these flaws by construction, while achieving the delay bound $O(k(n+m))$ per cycle output or termination; where $k$ is the length bound, $n$ the number of nodes, and $m$ the number of edges in the finite simple directed graph $G$.

16 pages, 9 figures. A related problem and algorithm is presented in arXiv:2607.14745