In the pattern mining field, there exist a large number of algorithms that can solve a large variety of distinct but similar pattern mining problems. This variety prevent broad adoption of data analysis with pattern mining algorithms. In this thesis we propose a formal framework that is able to capture a broad range of pattern mining problems. We illustrate the generality of our framework by formalizing three different pattern mining problems: the problem of closed frequent itemset mining, the problem of closed relational graph mining and the problem of closed gradual itemset mining. Building on this framework, we have designed ParaMiner, a generic and parallel algorithm for pattern mining. ParaMiner is able to solve any pattern mining problem that can be formalized within our framework. In order to achieve practical efficiency we have generalized important optimizations from state of the art algorithms and we have made ParaMiner able to exploit parallel computing platforms. We have conducted thorough experiments that demonstrate that despite being a generic algorithm, ParaMiner can compete with the fastest ad-hoc algorithms.
