ddp_theory_jl.ipynb

{
 "cells": [
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "# DiscreteDP\n",
    "\n",
    "***Implementation Details***"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "**Daisuke Oyama**  \n",
    "*Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo*"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "This notebook describes the implementation details of the `DiscreteDP` type and its methods."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "For the theoretical background and notation,\n",
    "see the lecture [Discrete Dynamic Programming](http://quant-econ.net/py/discrete_dp.html)."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "## Solution methods"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "The following solution algorithms are currently implemented for the `DiscreteDP` type:\n",
    "\n",
    "* value iteration;\n",
    "* policy iteration (default);\n",
    "* modified policy iteration.\n",
    "\n",
    "Policy iteration computes an exact optimal policy in finitely many iterations,\n",
    "while value iteration and modified policy iteration return an $\\varepsilon$-optimal policy\n",
    "for a prespecified value of $\\varepsilon$.\n",
    "\n",
    "Value iteration relies on (only) the fact that\n",
    "the Bellman operator $T$ is a contraction mapping\n",
    "and thus iterative application of $T$ to any initial function $v^0$\n",
    "converges to its unique fixed point $v^*$.\n",
    "\n",
    "Policy iteration more closely exploits the particular structure of the problem,\n",
    "where each iteration consists of a policy evaluation step,\n",
    "which computes the value $v_{\\sigma}$ of a policy $\\sigma$\n",
    "by solving the linear equation $v = T_{\\sigma} v$,\n",
    "and a policy improvement step, which computes a $v_{\\sigma}$-greedy policy.\n",
    "\n",
    "Modified policy iteration replaces the policy evaluation step\n",
    "in policy iteration with \"partial policy evaluation\",\n",
    "which computes an approximation of the value of a policy $\\sigma$\n",
    "by iterating $T_{\\sigma}$ for a specified number of times."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "Below we describe our implementation of these algorithms more in detail.  \n",
    "(While not explicit, in the actual implementation each algorithm is terminated\n",
    "when the number of iterations reaches `max_iter`.)"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "### Value iteration"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "`solve(ddp, v_init, VFI; max_iter, epsilon)`\n",
    "\n",
    "1. Choose any $v^0 \\in \\mathbb{R}^n$, and\n",
    "   specify $\\varepsilon > 0$; set $i = 0$.\n",
    "2. Compute $v^{i+1} = T v^i$.\n",
    "3. If $\\lVert v^{i+1} - v^i\\rVert <  [(1 - \\beta) / (2\\beta)] \\varepsilon$,\n",
    "   then go to step 4;\n",
    "   otherwise, set $i = i + 1$ and go to step 2.\n",
    "4. Compute a $v^{i+1}$-greedy policy $\\sigma$, and return $v^{i+1}$ and $\\sigma$."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "Given $\\varepsilon > 0$,\n",
    "the value iteration algorithm terminates in a finite number of iterations,\n",
    "and returns an $\\varepsilon/2$-approximation of the optimal value funciton and\n",
    "an $\\varepsilon$-optimal policy function\n",
    "(unless `max_iter` is reached)."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "### Policy iteration"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "`solve(ddp, v_init, PFI; max_iter)`\n",
    "\n",
    "1. Choose any $v^0 \\in \\mathbb{R}^n$ and compute a $v^0$-greedy policy $\\sigma^0$;\n",
    "   set $i = 0$.\n",
    "2. [Policy evaluation]\n",
    "   Compute the value $v_{\\sigma^i}$ by solving the equation $v = T_{\\sigma^i} v$.\n",
    "3. [Policy improvement]\n",
    "   Compute a $v_{\\sigma^i}$-greedy policy $\\sigma^{i+1}$;\n",
    "   let $\\sigma^{i+1} = \\sigma^i$ if possible.\n",
    "4. If $\\sigma^{i+1} = \\sigma^i$,\n",
    "   then return $v_{\\sigma^i}$ and $\\sigma^{i+1}$;\n",
    "   otherwise, set $i = i + 1$ and go to step 2."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "The policy iteration algorithm terminates in a finite number of iterations, and\n",
    "returns an optimal value function and an optimal policy function\n",
    "(unless `max_iter` is reached)."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "### Modified policy iteration"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "`solve(ddp, v_init, MPFI; max_iter, epsilon, k)`\n",
    "\n",
    "1. Choose any $v^0 \\in \\mathbb{R}^n$, and\n",
    "   specify $\\varepsilon > 0$ and $k \\geq 0$;\n",
    "   set $i = 0$.\n",
    "2. [Policy improvement]\n",
    "   Compute a $v^i$-greedy policy $\\sigma^{i+1}$;\n",
    "   let $\\sigma^{i+1} = \\sigma^i$ if possible (for $i \\geq 1$).\n",
    "3. Compute $u = T v^i$ ($= T_{\\sigma^{i+1}} v^i$).\n",
    "   If $\\mathrm{span}(u - v^i) < [(1 - \\beta) / \\beta] \\varepsilon$, then go to step 5;\n",
    "   otherwise go to step 4.\n",
    "4. [Partial policy evaluation]\n",
    "   Compute $v^{i+1} = (T_{\\sigma^{i+1}})^k u$ ($= (T_{\\sigma^{i+1}})^{k+1} v^i$).\n",
    "   Set $i = i + 1$ and go to step 2.\n",
    "5. Return\n",
    "   $v = u + [\\beta / (1 - \\beta)] [(\\min(u - v^i) + \\max(u - v^i)) / 2] \\mathbf{1}$\n",
    "   and $\\sigma_{i+1}$."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "Given $\\varepsilon > 0$,\n",
    "provided that $v^0$ is such that $T v^0 \\geq v^0$,\n",
    "the modified policy iteration algorithm terminates in a finite number of iterations,\n",
    "and returns an $\\varepsilon/2$-approximation of the optimal value funciton and\n",
    "an $\\varepsilon$-optimal policy function\n",
    "(unless `max_iter` is reached)."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "*Remarks*\n",
    "\n",
    "* Here we employ the termination criterion based on the *span semi-norm*,\n",
    "  where $\\mathrm{span}(z) = \\max(z) - \\min(z)$ for $z \\in \\mathbb{R}^n$.\n",
    "  Since $\\mathrm{span}(T v - v) \\leq 2\\lVert T v - v\\rVert$,\n",
    "  this reaches $\\varepsilon$-optimality faster than the norm-based criterion\n",
    "  as employed in the value iteration above.\n",
    "* Except for the termination criterion,\n",
    "  modified policy is equivalent to value iteration if $k = 0$ and\n",
    "  to policy iteration in the limit as $k \\to \\infty$.\n",
    "* Thus, if one would like to have value iteration with the span-based rule,\n",
    "  run modified policy iteration with $k = 0$.\n",
    "* In returning a value function, our implementation is slightly different from\n",
    "  that by Puterman (2005), Section 6.6.3, pp.201-202, which uses\n",
    "  $u + [\\beta / (1 - \\beta)] \\min(u - v^i) \\mathbf{1}$.\n",
    "* The condition for convergence, $T v^0 \\geq v^0$, is satisfied\n",
    "  for example when $v^0 = v_{\\sigma}$ for some policy $\\sigma$,\n",
    "  or when $v^0(s) = \\min_{(s', a)} r(s', a)$ for all $s$.\n",
    "  If `v_init` is not specified, it is set to the latter, $\\min_{(s', a)} r(s', a))$."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "## Illustration"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "We illustrate the algorithms above\n",
    "by the simple example from Puterman (2005), Section 3.1, pp.33-35."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 1,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [],
   "source": [
    "using QuantEcon\n",
    "using DataFrames"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 2,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [],
   "source": [
    "n = 2  # Number of states\n",
    "m = 2  # Number of actions\n",
    "\n",
    "# Reward array\n",
    "R = [5 10; -1 -Inf]\n",
    "\n",
    "# Transition probability array\n",
    "Q = Array(Float64, n, m, n)\n",
    "Q[1, 1, :] = [0.5, 0.5]\n",
    "Q[1, 2, :] = [0, 1]\n",
    "Q[2, 1, :] = [0, 1]\n",
    "Q[2, 2, :] = [0.5, 0.5]  # Arbitrary\n",
    "\n",
    "# Discount rate\n",
    "beta = 0.95\n",
    "\n",
    "ddp = DiscreteDP(R, Q, beta);"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "Analytical solution:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 3,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [],
   "source": [
    "function sigma_star(beta)\n",
    "    sigma = Array(Int64, 2)\n",
    "    sigma[2] = 1\n",
    "    if beta > 10/11\n",
    "        sigma[1] = 1\n",
    "    else\n",
    "        sigma[1] = 2\n",
    "    end\n",
    "    return sigma\n",
    "end\n",
    "\n",
    "function v_star(beta)\n",
    "    v = Array(Float64, 2)\n",
    "    v[2] = -1 / (1 - beta)\n",
    "    if beta > 10/11\n",
    "        v[1] = (5 - 5.5*beta) / ((1 - 0.5*beta) * (1 - beta))\n",
    "    else\n",
    "        v[1] = (10 - 11*beta) / (1 - beta)\n",
    "    end\n",
    "    return v\n",
    "end;"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 4,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "2-element Array{Int64,1}:\n",
       " 1\n",
       " 1"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 4,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "sigma_star(beta)"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 5,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "2-element Array{Float64,1}:\n",
       "  -8.57143\n",
       " -20.0    "
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 5,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "v_star(beta)"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "### Value iteration"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "Solve the problem by value iteration;\n",
    "see Example 6.3.1, p.164 in Puterman (2005)."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 6,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [],
   "source": [
    "epsilon = 1e-2\n",
    "v_init = [0., 0.]\n",
    "res_vi = solve(ddp, v_init, VFI, epsilon=epsilon);"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "The number of iterations required to satisfy the termination criterion:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 7,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "162"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 7,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "res_vi.num_iter"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "The returned value function:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 8,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "2-element Array{Float64,1}:\n",
       "  -8.56651\n",
       " -19.9951 "
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 8,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "res_vi.v"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "It is indeed an $\\varepsilon/2$-approximation of $v^*$:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 9,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "true"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 9,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "maxabs(res_vi.v - v_star(beta)) < epsilon/2"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "The returned policy function:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 10,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "2-element Array{Int64,1}:\n",
       " 1\n",
       " 1"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 10,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "res_vi.sigma"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "Value iteration converges very slowly.\n",
    "Let us replicate Table 6.3.1 on p.165:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 11,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [],
   "source": [
    "num_reps = 164\n",
    "values = Array(Float64, num_reps, n)\n",
    "diffs = Array(Float64, num_reps)\n",
    "spans = Array(Float64, num_reps)\n",
    "v = [0, 0]\n",
    "\n",
    "values[1, :] = v\n",
    "diffs[1] = NaN\n",
    "spans[1] = NaN\n",
    "\n",
    "for i in 2:num_reps\n",
    "    v_new = bellman_operator(ddp, v)\n",
    "    values[i, :] = v_new\n",
    "    diffs[i] = maxabs(v_new - v)\n",
    "    spans[i] = maximum(v_new - v) - minimum(v_new - v)\n",
    "    v = v_new\n",
    "end"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 12,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false,
    "scrolled": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/html": [
       "<table class=\"data-frame\"><tr><th></th><th>i</th><th>v^i(1)</th><th>v^i(2)</th><th>‖v^i - v^(i-1)‖</th></tr><tr><th>1</th><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>NaN</td></tr><tr><th>2</th><td>1</td><td>10.0</td><td>-1.0</td><td>10.0</td></tr><tr><th>3</th><td>2</td><td>9.275</td><td>-1.95</td><td>0.95</td></tr><tr><th>4</th><td>3</td><td>8.479375</td><td>-2.8525</td><td>0.9025000000000001</td></tr><tr><th>5</th><td>4</td><td>7.672765624999999</td><td>-3.709875</td><td>0.8573749999999998</td></tr><tr><th>6</th><td>5</td><td>6.882373046874999</td><td>-4.524381249999999</td><td>0.8145062499999995</td></tr><tr><th>7</th><td>6</td><td>6.120046103515625</td><td>-5.298162187499999</td><td>0.7737809374999998</td></tr><tr><th>8</th><td>7</td><td>5.390394860107422</td><td>-6.033254078124999</td><td>0.7350918906250001</td></tr><tr><th>9</th><td>8</td><td>4.69464187144165</td><td>-6.731591374218749</td><td>0.69833729609375</td></tr><tr><th>10</th><td>9</td><td>4.032448986180878</td><td>-7.395011805507812</td><td>0.6634204312890626</td></tr><tr><th>11</th><td>10</td><td>3.4027826608197067</td><td>-8.02526121523242</td><td>0.630249409724609</td></tr><tr><th>12</th><td>20</td><td>-1.4017104317198132</td><td>-12.83028155182915</td><td>0.37735360253530636</td></tr><tr><th>13</th><td>30</td><td>-4.278653292750169</td><td>-15.70722472114124</td><td>0.22593554099256608</td></tr><tr><th>14</th><td>40</td><td>-6.001185440126596</td><td>-17.42975686869792</td><td>0.1352759542790558</td></tr><tr><th>15</th><td>50</td><td>-7.032529065894288</td><td>-18.461100494465715</td><td>0.08099471081759191</td></tr><tr><th>16</th><td>60</td><td>-7.650032591689509</td><td>-19.078604020260936</td><td>0.048494525249424214</td></tr><tr><th>17</th><td>70</td><td>-8.019754762693054</td><td>-19.44832619126448</td><td>0.029035463617658408</td></tr><tr><th>18</th><td>80</td><td>-8.241121083728281</td><td>-19.669692512299708</td><td>0.0173846046158026</td></tr><tr><th>19</th><td>90</td><td>-8.373661277235374</td><td>-19.8022327058068</td><td>0.010408804957535267</td></tr><tr><th>20</th><td>100</td><td>-8.453017987021873</td><td>-19.8815894155933</td><td>0.006232136021402823</td></tr><tr><th>21</th><td>110</td><td>-8.500531780547472</td><td>-19.9291032091189</td><td>0.0037314100463738953</td></tr><tr><th>22</th><td>120</td><td>-8.528980043854592</td><td>-19.95755147242602</td><td>0.0022341330302069196</td></tr><tr><th>23</th><td>130</td><td>-8.54601306995374</td><td>-19.974584498525168</td><td>0.0013376579723569648</td></tr><tr><th>24</th><td>140</td><td>-8.556211371866318</td><td>-19.984782800437745</td><td>0.0008009052401192207</td></tr><tr><th>25</th><td>150</td><td>-8.56231747193888</td><td>-19.990888900510306</td><td>0.00047953155208801945</td></tr><tr><th>26</th><td>160</td><td>-8.565973419607012</td><td>-19.99454484817844</td><td>0.00028711325376562513</td></tr><tr><th>27</th><td>161</td><td>-8.566246177198089</td><td>-19.994817605769516</td><td>0.00027275759107681097</td></tr><tr><th>28</th><td>162</td><td>-8.566505296909611</td><td>-19.995076725481038</td><td>0.0002591197115222599</td></tr><tr><th>29</th><td>163</td><td>-8.566751460635558</td><td>-19.995322889206985</td><td>0.0002461637259472127</td></tr></table>"
      ],
      "text/plain": [
       "29x4 DataFrames.DataFrame\n",
       "| Row | i   | v^i(1)   | v^i(2)   | ‖v^i - v^(i-1)‖ |\n",
       "|-----|-----|----------|----------|-----------------|\n",
       "| 1   | 0   | 0.0      | 0.0      | NaN             |\n",
       "| 2   | 1   | 10.0     | -1.0     | 10.0            |\n",
       "| 3   | 2   | 9.275    | -1.95    | 0.95            |\n",
       "| 4   | 3   | 8.47937  | -2.8525  | 0.9025          |\n",
       "| 5   | 4   | 7.67277  | -3.70987 | 0.857375        |\n",
       "| 6   | 5   | 6.88237  | -4.52438 | 0.814506        |\n",
       "| 7   | 6   | 6.12005  | -5.29816 | 0.773781        |\n",
       "| 8   | 7   | 5.39039  | -6.03325 | 0.735092        |\n",
       "| 9   | 8   | 4.69464  | -6.73159 | 0.698337        |\n",
       "| 10  | 9   | 4.03245  | -7.39501 | 0.66342         |\n",
       "| 11  | 10  | 3.40278  | -8.02526 | 0.630249        |\n",
       "⋮\n",
       "| 18  | 80  | -8.24112 | -19.6697 | 0.0173846       |\n",
       "| 19  | 90  | -8.37366 | -19.8022 | 0.0104088       |\n",
       "| 20  | 100 | -8.45302 | -19.8816 | 0.00623214      |\n",
       "| 21  | 110 | -8.50053 | -19.9291 | 0.00373141      |\n",
       "| 22  | 120 | -8.52898 | -19.9576 | 0.00223413      |\n",
       "| 23  | 130 | -8.54601 | -19.9746 | 0.00133766      |\n",
       "| 24  | 140 | -8.55621 | -19.9848 | 0.000800905     |\n",
       "| 25  | 150 | -8.56232 | -19.9909 | 0.000479532     |\n",
       "| 26  | 160 | -8.56597 | -19.9945 | 0.000287113     |\n",
       "| 27  | 161 | -8.56625 | -19.9948 | 0.000272758     |\n",
       "| 28  | 162 | -8.56651 | -19.9951 | 0.00025912      |\n",
       "| 29  | 163 | -8.56675 | -19.9953 | 0.000246164     |"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 12,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "col_names = map(symbol, [\"i\", \"v^i(1)\", \"v^i(2)\", \"‖v^i - v^(i-1)‖\", \"span(v^i - v^(i-1))\"])\n",
    "df = DataFrame(Any[0:num_reps-1, values[:, 1], values[:, 2], diffs, spans], col_names)\n",
    "\n",
    "display_nums = [i+1 for i in 0:9]\n",
    "append!(display_nums, [10*i+1 for i in 1:16])\n",
    "append!(display_nums, [160+i+1 for i in 1:3])\n",
    "df[display_nums, [1, 2, 3, 4]]"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "On the other hand, the span decreases faster than the norm;\n",
    "the following replicates Table 6.6.1, page 205:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 13,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/html": [
       "<table class=\"data-frame\"><tr><th></th><th>i</th><th>‖v^i - v^(i-1)‖</th><th>span(v^i - v^(i-1))</th></tr><tr><th>1</th><td>1</td><td>10.0</td><td>11.0</td></tr><tr><th>2</th><td>2</td><td>0.95</td><td>0.2250000000000003</td></tr><tr><th>3</th><td>3</td><td>0.9025000000000001</td><td>0.10687499999999894</td></tr><tr><th>4</th><td>4</td><td>0.8573749999999998</td><td>0.050765624999999925</td></tr><tr><th>5</th><td>5</td><td>0.8145062499999995</td><td>0.024113671874999465</td></tr><tr><th>6</th><td>6</td><td>0.7737809374999998</td><td>0.011453994140625312</td></tr><tr><th>7</th><td>7</td><td>0.7350918906250001</td><td>0.0054406472167976005</td></tr><tr><th>8</th><td>8</td><td>0.69833729609375</td><td>0.0025843074279778833</td></tr><tr><th>9</th><td>9</td><td>0.6634204312890626</td><td>0.0012275460282902273</td></tr><tr><th>10</th><td>10</td><td>0.630249409724609</td><td>0.0005830843634377914</td></tr><tr><th>11</th><td>11</td><td>0.5987369392383783</td><td>0.0002769650726328621</td></tr><tr><th>12</th><td>12</td><td>0.5688000922764598</td><td>0.00013155840950052067</td></tr><tr><th>13</th><td>20</td><td>0.37735360253530636</td><td>3.4093178413741043e-7</td></tr><tr><th>14</th><td>30</td><td>0.22593554099256608</td><td>1.993445408743355e-10</td></tr><tr><th>15</th><td>40</td><td>0.1352759542790558</td><td>1.1546319456101628e-13</td></tr><tr><th>16</th><td>50</td><td>0.08099471081759191</td><td>0.0</td></tr><tr><th>17</th><td>60</td><td>0.048494525249424214</td><td>0.0</td></tr></table>"
      ],
      "text/plain": [
       "17x3 DataFrames.DataFrame\n",
       "| Row | i  | ‖v^i - v^(i-1)‖ | span(v^i - v^(i-1)) |\n",
       "|-----|----|-----------------|---------------------|\n",
       "| 1   | 1  | 10.0            | 11.0                |\n",
       "| 2   | 2  | 0.95            | 0.225               |\n",
       "| 3   | 3  | 0.9025          | 0.106875            |\n",
       "| 4   | 4  | 0.857375        | 0.0507656           |\n",
       "| 5   | 5  | 0.814506        | 0.0241137           |\n",
       "| 6   | 6  | 0.773781        | 0.011454            |\n",
       "| 7   | 7  | 0.735092        | 0.00544065          |\n",
       "| 8   | 8  | 0.698337        | 0.00258431          |\n",
       "| 9   | 9  | 0.66342         | 0.00122755          |\n",
       "| 10  | 10 | 0.630249        | 0.000583084         |\n",
       "| 11  | 11 | 0.598737        | 0.000276965         |\n",
       "| 12  | 12 | 0.5688          | 0.000131558         |\n",
       "| 13  | 20 | 0.377354        | 3.40932e-7          |\n",
       "| 14  | 30 | 0.225936        | 1.99345e-10         |\n",
       "| 15  | 40 | 0.135276        | 1.15463e-13         |\n",
       "| 16  | 50 | 0.0809947       | 0.0                 |\n",
       "| 17  | 60 | 0.0484945       | 0.0                 |"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 13,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "display_nums = [i+1 for i in 1:12]\n",
    "append!(display_nums, [10*i+1 for i in 2:6])\n",
    "df[display_nums, [1, 4, 5]]"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "The span-based termination criterion is satisfied when $i = 11$:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 14,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "0.0005263157894736847"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 14,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "epsilon * (1-beta) / beta"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 15,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "true"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 15,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "spans[12] < epsilon * (1-beta) / beta"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "In fact, modified policy iteration with $k = 0$ terminates with $11$ iterations:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 16,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [],
   "source": [
    "epsilon = 1e-2\n",
    "v_init = [0., 0.]\n",
    "k = 0\n",
    "res_mpi_1 = solve(ddp, v_init, MPFI, epsilon=epsilon, k=k);"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 17,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "11"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 17,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "res_mpi_1.num_iter"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 18,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "2-element Array{Float64,1}:\n",
       "  -8.56905\n",
       " -19.9974 "
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 18,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "res_mpi_1.v"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "### Policy iteration"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "If $\\{\\sigma^i\\}$ is the sequence of policies obtained by policy iteration\n",
    "with an initial policy $\\sigma^0$,\n",
    "one can show that $T^i v_{\\sigma^0} \\leq v_{\\sigma^i}$ ($\\leq v^*$),\n",
    "so that the number of iterations required for policy iteration is smaller than\n",
    "that for value iteration at least weakly,\n",
    "and indeed in many cases, the former is significantly smaller than the latter."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 19,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [],
   "source": [
    "v_init = [0., 0.]\n",
    "res_pi = solve(ddp, v_init, PFI);"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 20,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "2"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 20,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "res_pi.num_iter"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "Policy iteration returns the exact optimal value function (up to rounding errors):"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 21,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "2-element Array{Float64,1}:\n",
       "  -8.57143\n",
       " -20.0    "
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 21,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "res_pi.v"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 22,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "3.552713678800501e-15"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 22,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "maxabs(res_pi.v - v_star(beta))"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "To look into the iterations:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 23,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "name": "stdout",
     "output_type": "stream",
     "text": [
      "Iterate 0\n",
      " value:  [0.0,0.0]\n",
      " policy: [2,1]\n",
      "Iterate 1\n",
      " value:  [-8.999999999999982,-19.999999999999982]\n",
      " policy: [1,1]\n",
      "Iterate 2\n",
      " value:  [-8.571428571428553,-19.999999999999982]\n",
      " policy: [1,1]\n",
      "Terminated\n"
     ]
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "v = [0., 0.]\n",
    "sigma = [0, 0]  # Dummy\n",
    "sigma_new = compute_greedy(ddp, v)\n",
    "i = 0\n",
    "\n",
    "while true\n",
    "    println(\"Iterate $i\")\n",
    "    println(\" value:  $v\")\n",
    "    println(\" policy: $sigma_new\")\n",
    "    if all(sigma_new .== sigma)\n",
    "        break\n",
    "    end\n",
    "    copy!(sigma, sigma_new)\n",
    "    v = evaluate_policy(ddp, sigma)\n",
    "    sigma_new = compute_greedy(ddp, v)\n",
    "    i += 1\n",
    "end\n",
    "\n",
    "println(\"Terminated\")"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "See Example 6.4.1, pp.176-177."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "### Modified policy iteration"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "The evaluation step in policy iteration\n",
    "which solves the linear equation $v = T_{\\sigma} v$\n",
    "to obtain the policy value $v_{\\sigma}$\n",
    "can be expensive for problems with a large number of states.\n",
    "Modified policy iteration is to reduce the cost of this step\n",
    "by using an approximation of $v_{\\sigma}$ obtained by iteration of $T_{\\sigma}$.\n",
    "The tradeoff is that this approach only computes an $\\varepsilon$-optimal policy,\n",
    "and for small $\\varepsilon$, takes a larger number of iterations than policy iteration\n",
    "(but much smaller than value iteration)."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 24,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [],
   "source": [
    "epsilon = 1e-2\n",
    "v_init = [0., 0.]\n",
    "k = 6\n",
    "res_mpi = solve(ddp, v_init, MPFI, epsilon=epsilon, k=k);"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 25,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "4"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 25,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "res_mpi.num_iter"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "The returned value function:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 26,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "2-element Array{Float64,1}:\n",
       "  -8.57137\n",
       " -19.9999 "
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 26,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "res_mpi.v"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "It is indeed an $\\varepsilon/2$-approximation of $v^*$:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 27,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "data": {
      "text/plain": [
       "true"
      ]
     },
     "execution_count": 27,
     "metadata": {},
     "output_type": "execute_result"
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "maxabs(res_mpi.v - v_star(beta)) < epsilon/2"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "To look into the iterations:"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 28,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": true
   },
   "outputs": [],
   "source": [
    "# T_sigma operator\n",
    "function T_sigma{T<:Integer}(ddp::DiscreteDP, sigma::Array{T})\n",
    "    R_sigma, Q_sigma = RQ_sigma(ddp, sigma)\n",
    "    return v -> R_sigma + ddp.beta * Q_sigma * v\n",
    "end;"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 29,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false,
    "scrolled": false
   },
   "outputs": [
    {
     "name": "stdout",
     "output_type": "stream",
     "text": [
      "Iterate 0\n",
      " v: [0,0]\n",
      "Iterate 1\n",
      " sigma:  [2,1]\n",
      " T_sigma(v): [10.0,-1.0]\n",
      " span: 11.0\n",
      " T_sigma^k+1(v): [4.966745921875001,-6.033254078124999]\n",
      "Iterate 2\n",
      " sigma:  [1,1]\n",
      " T_sigma(v): [4.49340862578125,-6.731591374218749]\n",
      " span: 0.22499999999999964\n",
      " T_sigma^k+1(v): [1.1797328279709998,-10.2465004176894]\n",
      "Iterate 3\n",
      " sigma:  [1,1]\n",
      " T_sigma(v): [0.6932853948837598,-10.73417539680493]\n",
      " span: 0.0012275460282902273\n",
      " T_sigma^k+1(v): [-1.7602088022313573,-13.188767474237693]\n",
      "Iterate 4\n",
      " sigma:  [1,1]\n",
      " T_sigma(v): [-2.1007637313227985,-13.529329100525807]\n",
      " span: 6.6971966727891186e-6\n",
      "Terminated\n",
      " sigma:  [1,1]\n",
      " v:  [-8.571371007428565,-19.999936376631574]\n"
     ]
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "epsilon = 1e-2\n",
    "v = [0, 0]\n",
    "k = 6\n",
    "i = 0\n",
    "println(\"Iterate $i\")\n",
    "println(\" v: $v\")\n",
    "\n",
    "sigma = Array(Int64, n)\n",
    "u = Array(Float64, n)\n",
    "\n",
    "while true\n",
    "    i += 1\n",
    "    bellman_operator!(ddp, v, u, sigma)  # u and sigma are modified in place\n",
    "    diff = u - v\n",
    "    span = maximum(diff) - minimum(diff)\n",
    "    println(\"Iterate $i\")\n",
    "    println(\" sigma:  $sigma\")\n",
    "    println(\" T_sigma(v): $u\")\n",
    "    println(\" span: $span\")\n",
    "    if span < epsilon * (1-ddp.beta) / ddp.beta\n",
    "        v = u + ((maximum(diff) + minimum(diff)) / 2) *\n",
    "            (ddp.beta / (1 - ddp.beta))\n",
    "        break\n",
    "    end\n",
    "    \n",
    "    for j in 1:k\n",
    "        v = T_sigma(ddp, sigma)(u)\n",
    "        copy!(u, v)\n",
    "    end\n",
    "    copy!(v, u)\n",
    "    \n",
    "    #The above is equivalent to the following:\n",
    "    #v = compute_fixed_point(T_sigma(ddp, sigma), u,\n",
    "    #                        err_tol=0, max_iter=k, verbose=false)\n",
    "    \n",
    "    println(\" T_sigma^k+1(v): $v\")\n",
    "end\n",
    "\n",
    "println(\"Terminated\")\n",
    "println(\" sigma:  $sigma\")\n",
    "println(\" v:  $v\")"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "Compare this with the implementation with the norm-based termination rule\n",
    "as described in Example 6.5.1, pp.187-188."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "## Reference"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "* M.L. Puterman,\n",
    "  [*Markov Decision Processes: Discrete Stochastic Dynamic Programming*](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9780470316887),\n",
    "  Wiley-Interscience, 2005."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": null,
   "metadata": {
    "collapsed": false
   },
   "outputs": [],
   "source": []
  }
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