Markov chain-based degree distributions of evolving networks

In this paper, we study a class of stochastic processes, called evolving network Markov chains, in evolving networks. Our approach is to transform the degree distribution problem of an evolving network to a corresponding problem of evolving network Markov chains. We investigate the evolving network Markov chains, thereby obtaining some exact formulas as well as a precise criterion for determining whether the steady degree distribution of the evolving network is a power-law or not. With this new method, we finally obtain a rigorous, exact and unified solution of the steady degree distribution of the evolving network.