Languages and Machines: An Introduction to the Theory of Computer Science - Rilegato

About Thomas Sudkamp

Thomas A. Sudkamp holds a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame and worked extensively in industry and for the Air Force before joining the faculty at Wright State University where he has taught for over 10 years.

Languages and Machines gives a mathematically sound presentation of the theory of computing at the junior and senior level and is an invaluable tool for scientists investigating the theoretical foundations of computer science. Topics covered include the theory of formal languages and automata, computability, computational complexity, and deterministic parsing of context-free languages.

No special mathematical prerequisites are assumed; the theoretical concepts and associated mathematics are made accessible by a 'learn as you go' approach that develops an intuitive understanding of the concepts through numerous examples and illustrations. Languages & Machines examines the languages of the Chomsky hierarchy, the grammars that generate them, and the finite automata that accept them. Sections on the Church-Turing thesis and computability theory further examine the development of abstract machines. Computational complexity and NP-completeness are introduced by analyzing the computations of Turing machines. Parsing with LL and LR grammars is included to emphasize language definition and to provide the groundwork for the study of compiler design.

• A winning writing style, Languages and Machines is becoming recognized as an instructor's boon
• Effective examples that convey challenging and complex theoretical concepts
• Numerous diagrams illustrating pictorially the underlying concepts
• Step-by-step, unhurried proofs
• A "learn as you go" approach that develops mathematical sophistication

• DFA minimization
• Rice's Theorem
• Increased coverage of computational complexity
• Additional examples throughout
• Over 150 additional exercises

** Instructor's materials are available from your sales rep. If you do not know your local sales representative, please call 1-800-552-2499 for assistance, or use the Addison Wesley Longman rep-locator at http://hepg.awl.com/rep-locator.