METHODS, SOFTWARE ARRANGEMENTS AND SYSTEMS FOR ALIGNING SEQUENCES WHICH UTILIZES NON-AFFINE GAP PENALTY PROCEDURE

Methods, software arrangements and systems are provided which can utilize an exemplary embodiment of a procedure which can enable an efficient alignment of DNA sequences using piecewise-linear gap penalties that closely approximate general and biologically meaningful gap-functions. Accordingly, an exemplary process, software arrangement and system can be provided for obtaining data associated with an alignment between at least two data strings having a plurality of positions in the data strings. For example, at least one characteristic of an alignment can be provided between the data strings using a particular function. The particular function is capable of evaluating gaps between the strings in the alignment based on a non-affine gap-penalty function. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides process, software arrangement and system for obtaining data associated with an alignment between at least two data strings having a plurality of positions in the data strings. In particular, the alignment which is approximately optimal in substantially all circumstance can be determined for a computation time that is proportional to products of lengths of the strings. For example, the alignment may be determined using space that is proportional to a sum of the lengths of the data strings.