A Course In Formal Languages Automata And Groups

This book is based on notes for a master’s course given at Queen Mary, University of London, in the 1998/9 session. Such courses in London are quite short, and the course consisted essentially of the material in the ?rst three chapters, together with a two-hour lecture on connections with group theory. Chapter 5 is a considerably expanded version of this. For the course, the main sources were the books by Hopcroft and Ullman ([20]), by Cohen ([4]), and by Epstein et al. ([7]). Some use was also made of a later book by Hopcroft and Ullman ([21]). The ulterior motive in the ?rst three chapters is to give a rigorous proof that various notions of recursively enumerable language are equivalent. Three such notions are considered. These are: generated by a type 0 grammar, recognised by a Turing machine (deterministic or not) and de?ned by means of a Godel ̈ numbering, having de?ned “recursively enumerable” for sets of natural numbers. It is hoped that this has been achieved without too many ar- ments using complicated notation. This is a problem with the entire subject, and it is important to understand the idea of the proof, which is often quite simple. Two particular places that are heavy going are the proof at the end of Chapter 1 that a language recognised by a Turing machine is type 0, and the proof in Chapter 2 that a Turing machine computable function is partial recursive.

This book is based on notes for a master’s course given at Queen Mary, University of London, in the 1998/9 session. Such courses in London are quite short, and the course consisted essentially of the material in the ?rst three chapters, together with a two-hour lecture on connections with group theory. Chapter 5 is a considerably expanded version of this. For the course, the main sources were the books by Hopcroft and Ullman ([20]), by Cohen ([4]), and by Epstein et al. ([7]). Some use was also made of a later book by Hopcroft and Ullman ([21]). The ulterior motive in the ?rst three chapters is to give a rigorous proof that various notions of recursively enumerable language are equivalent. Three such notions are considered. These are: generated by a type 0 grammar, recognised by a Turing machine (deterministic or not) and de?ned by means of a Godel ̈ numbering, having de?ned “recursively enumerable” for sets of natural numbers. It is hoped that this has been achieved without too many ar- ments using complicated notation. This is a problem with the entire subject, and it is important to understand the idea of the proof, which is often quite simple. Two particular places that are heavy going are the proof at the end of Chapter 1 that a language recognised by a Turing machine is type 0, and the proof in Chapter 2 that a Turing machine computable function is partial recursive.

Data Structures & Theory of Computation

A textbook for a graduate course on formal languages and automata theory, building on prior knowledge of theoretical computer models.

An Introduction to Formal Languages and Automata, Seventh Edition is designed for an introductory course on formal languages, automata, compatibility, and related matters forming what is known as the theory of computation.

T his book on "Formal Languages & Automata Theory is meant as a textbook for a typical undergraduate course. The subject is taught under various titles such as "finite Automata & Formal Languages", "Theory of Computation" etc. The topics dealt in this book cover the entire standard syllabus prescribed for an undergraduate course. Features Precise and Lucid presentation of definitions and terms. Explains tough concepts in a very simple manner. Clarity of Presentation. More than 100 solved problems including some rare tough problems. Additional topics Contents Introduction Grammars Finite automata Regular expressions & regular languages Properties of regular languages Context free grammars Push down automata Properties of context free languages Turning machines Undecidability list of symbols Answer and hints to selected exercises Bibliography Index.

Theory of Automata is designed to serve as a textbook for undergraduate students of B.E, B. Tech. CSE and MCA/IT. It attempts to help students grasp the essential concepts involved in automata theory.

A reference book discussing applications of formal language theory to group theory, particularly geometric and computational group theory.