Introduction

1. Turing Machine: Introduced by Alan Turing in 1936, the Turing machine is a theoretical model of a computer that is capable of performing any computation that can be done by a real computer. The Turing machine consists of an infinite tape divided into cells, a read/write head that can move along the tape, and a finite state control that determines how the machine behaves. The Turing machine can be used to simulate any other model of computation, which makes it the most powerful model of computation.
2. Random Access Machine (RAM): Introduced by John von Neumann in 1945, the RAM is a simplified model of a real computer that is used to study the complexity of computation. The RAM consists of a finite set of registers, a finite set of memory locations, and a finite set of instructions that can be executed on the registers and memory locations. The RAM is less powerful than the Turing machine, but it is a more realistic model of a real computer.
3. Finite State Machine (FSM): Introduced by Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts in 1943, the FSM is a simple model of computation that consists of a finite set of states, a finite set of input symbols, and a finite set of output symbols. The FSM can be used to recognize regular languages, which are a class of languages that can be described by a regular expression.

Limits of Computation

Complexity of Computation

Applications of the Theory of Computation

1. Operating Systems – The theory of computation is used to design and analyze operating systems, which manage the resources of a computer system.
2. Database Systems – The theory of computation is used to design and analyze database systems, which store and manage data.
3. Computer Networks – The theory of computation is used to design and analyze computer networks, which allow computers to communicate with each other.
4. Artificial Intelligence – The theory of computation is used to design and analyze artificial intelligence systems, which can perform tasks that require human intelligence.

Introduction to the Theory of Computation

by Michael Sipser

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Language	:	English
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