Models of Computation and Formal Languages - Hardcover

Taylor, R. Gregory

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 019510983X ISBN 13: 9780195109832

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1997

Synopsis

Models of Computation and Formal Languages presents a comprehensive and rigorous treatment of the theory of computability. The text takes a novel approach focusing on computational models and is the first book of its kind to feature companion software. Deus Ex Machina, developed by Nicolae Savoiu, comprises software simulations of the various computational models considered and incorporates numerous examples in a user-friendly format.
Part I of the text introduces several universal models including Turing machines, Markov algorithms, and register machines. Complexity theory is integrated gradually, starting in Chapter 1. The vector machine model of parallel computation is covered thoroughly both in text and software. Part II develops the Chomsky hierarchy of formal languages and provides both a grammar-theoretic and an automata-theoretic characterization of each language family. Applications to programming languages round out an in-depth theoretical discussion, making this an ideal text for students approaching this subject for the first time. Ancillary sections of several chapters relate classical computability theory to the philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and theoretical linguistics.
Ideal for Theory of Computability and Theory of Algorithms courses at the advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate level, Models of Computation and Formal Languages is one of the only texts that... · · Features accompanying software available on the World Wide Web at http://home.manhattan.edu/~gregory.taylor/thcomp/ Adopts an integrated approach to complexity theory
· Offers a solutions manual containing full solutions to several hundred exercises. Most of these solutions are available to students on the World Wide Web at http://home.manhattan.edu/~gregory.taylor/thcomp · Features examples relating the theory of computation to the probable programming experience of an undergraduate computer science major

About this title

About the Author:

R. Gregory Taylor holds degrees from the University of Michigan, New York University, and Columbia University. He is currently chair of the Department of Computer Science at Jersey City State College.

Review:

"A comprehensive, advanced introductory textbook on the theory of computation that can be used on an undergraduate level as well as graduate. The solutions manual and software are welcome additions."--Philip Demp, Rutgers University

Advance praise: "Taylor's work joins a small group of comprehensive yet rigorous, sweeping yet approachable, computer science textbooks. That by itself is a feast, but the dessert is Savoiu's intuitive software that supports almost every chapter by providing working examples, a homework bench,
and a model-programming environment." --Benjamin Wells, University of San Francisco

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 019510983X
• ISBN 13: 9780195109832
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 688