People & Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science

People & Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science PDF Author: Cristian Calude
Publisher: Springer Verlag Singapour
ISBN:
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 368

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Book Description
Theory and theoreticians have played a major role in computer science. Many insights into the nature of efficient computations were gained and theory was crucial for some of the most celebrated engineering triumphs of computer science (e.g., in compiler design, databases, multitask operating systems, to name just a few). Theoretical computer science (TCS) functions as a communication bridge between computer science and other subjects, notably, mathematics, linguistics, biology; it is a champion in developing unconventional models of computation (DNA, quantum). This book collects personal accounts and reflections of fourteen eminent scientists who have dedicated themselves to the craft of TCS. Contributions focus on authors specific interests, experiences, and reminiscences. The emerging picture, which is just one among other possible ones, should be a catalyst for further developments and continuations. Was most interested to learn about the project, which should be a worthwhile one." N. Chomsky, MIT. "The human story of creativity is inspiring and documents a very noble activity - the creation of knowledge in its most beautiful and useful form - the creation of a science. Supplying the technical and intellectual tools to probe some of the most fascinating questions about the nature of thought and intelligence, theoretical computer science is trying to grasp the limits of rational thought, the limits of knowable. This book will contribute to the understanding of the creation of a magnificent science." J. Hartmanis, NSF. "This is obviously an extremely worthwhile project." D. E. Knuth, Stanford University.

People & Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science

People & Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science PDF Author: Cristian Calude
Publisher: Springer Verlag Singapour
ISBN:
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 368

Get Book

Book Description
Theory and theoreticians have played a major role in computer science. Many insights into the nature of efficient computations were gained and theory was crucial for some of the most celebrated engineering triumphs of computer science (e.g., in compiler design, databases, multitask operating systems, to name just a few). Theoretical computer science (TCS) functions as a communication bridge between computer science and other subjects, notably, mathematics, linguistics, biology; it is a champion in developing unconventional models of computation (DNA, quantum). This book collects personal accounts and reflections of fourteen eminent scientists who have dedicated themselves to the craft of TCS. Contributions focus on authors specific interests, experiences, and reminiscences. The emerging picture, which is just one among other possible ones, should be a catalyst for further developments and continuations. Was most interested to learn about the project, which should be a worthwhile one." N. Chomsky, MIT. "The human story of creativity is inspiring and documents a very noble activity - the creation of knowledge in its most beautiful and useful form - the creation of a science. Supplying the technical and intellectual tools to probe some of the most fascinating questions about the nature of thought and intelligence, theoretical computer science is trying to grasp the limits of rational thought, the limits of knowable. This book will contribute to the understanding of the creation of a magnificent science." J. Hartmanis, NSF. "This is obviously an extremely worthwhile project." D. E. Knuth, Stanford University.

Basic Category Theory for Computer Scientists

Basic Category Theory for Computer Scientists PDF Author: Benjamin C. Pierce
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262326450
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 117

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Book Description
Basic Category Theory for Computer Scientists provides a straightforward presentation of the basic constructions and terminology of category theory, including limits, functors, natural transformations, adjoints, and cartesian closed categories. Category theory is a branch of pure mathematics that is becoming an increasingly important tool in theoretical computer science, especially in programming language semantics, domain theory, and concurrency, where it is already a standard language of discourse. Assuming a minimum of mathematical preparation, Basic Category Theory for Computer Scientists provides a straightforward presentation of the basic constructions and terminology of category theory, including limits, functors, natural transformations, adjoints, and cartesian closed categories. Four case studies illustrate applications of category theory to programming language design, semantics, and the solution of recursive domain equations. A brief literature survey offers suggestions for further study in more advanced texts. Contents Tutorial • Applications • Further Reading

The Nature of Computation

The Nature of Computation PDF Author: Cristopher Moore
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191620807
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1498

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Book Description
Computational complexity is one of the most beautiful fields of modern mathematics, and it is increasingly relevant to other sciences ranging from physics to biology. But this beauty is often buried underneath layers of unnecessary formalism, and exciting recent results like interactive proofs, phase transitions, and quantum computing are usually considered too advanced for the typical student. This book bridges these gaps by explaining the deep ideas of theoretical computer science in a clear and enjoyable fashion, making them accessible to non-computer scientists and to computer scientists who finally want to appreciate their field from a new point of view. The authors start with a lucid and playful explanation of the P vs. NP problem, explaining why it is so fundamental, and so hard to resolve. They then lead the reader through the complexity of mazes and games; optimization in theory and practice; randomized algorithms, interactive proofs, and pseudorandomness; Markov chains and phase transitions; and the outer reaches of quantum computing. At every turn, they use a minimum of formalism, providing explanations that are both deep and accessible. The book is intended for graduate and undergraduate students, scientists from other areas who have long wanted to understand this subject, and experts who want to fall in love with this field all over again.

People, Problems, and Proofs

People, Problems, and Proofs PDF Author: Richard J. Lipton
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642414222
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 319

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Book Description
People, problems, and proofs are the lifeblood of theoretical computer science. Behind the computing devices and applications that have transformed our lives are clever algorithms, and for every worthwhile algorithm there is a problem that it solves and a proof that it works. Before this proof there was an open problem: can one create an efficient algorithm to solve the computational problem? And, finally, behind these questions are the people who are excited about these fundamental issues in our computational world. In this book the authors draw on their outstanding research and teaching experience to showcase some key people and ideas in the domain of theoretical computer science, particularly in computational complexity and algorithms, and related mathematical topics. They show evidence of the considerable scholarship that supports this young field, and they balance an impressive breadth of topics with the depth necessary to reveal the power and the relevance of the work described. Beyond this, the authors discuss the sustained effort of their community, revealing much about the culture of their field. A career in theoretical computer science at the top level is a vocation: the work is hard, and in addition to the obvious requirements such as intellect and training, the vignettes in this book demonstrate the importance of human factors such as personality, instinct, creativity, ambition, tenacity, and luck. The authors' style is characterize d by personal observations, enthusiasm, and humor, and this book will be a source of inspiration and guidance for graduate students and researchers engaged with or planning careers in theoretical computer science.

Gems of Theoretical Computer Science

Gems of Theoretical Computer Science PDF Author: Uwe Schöning
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 364260322X
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 318

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Book Description
This book assembles some of the most important problems and solutions in theoretical computer science-from computability, logic, circuit theory, and complexity. The book presents these important results with complete proofs in an understandable form. It also presents previously open problems that have found (perhaps unexpected) solutions, and challenges the reader to pursue further active research in computer science.

Role Of Theory In Computer Science, The: Essays Dedicated To Janusz Brzozowski

Role Of Theory In Computer Science, The: Essays Dedicated To Janusz Brzozowski PDF Author: Konstantinidis Stavros
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9813148217
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
This volume brings together the work of several prominent researchers who have collaborated with Janusz Brzozowski, or worked in topics he developed, in the areas of regular languages, syntactic semigroups of formal languages, the dot-depth hierarchy, and formal modeling of circuit testing and software specification using automata theory.

The Reasoned Schemer, second edition

The Reasoned Schemer, second edition PDF Author: Daniel P. Friedman
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262535513
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
A new edition of a book, written in a humorous question-and-answer style, that shows how to implement and use an elegant little programming language for logic programming. The goal of this book is to show the beauty and elegance of relational programming, which captures the essence of logic programming. The book shows how to implement a relational programming language in Scheme, or in any other functional language, and demonstrates the remarkable flexibility of the resulting relational programs. As in the first edition, the pedagogical method is a series of questions and answers, which proceed with the characteristic humor that marked The Little Schemer and The Seasoned Schemer. Familiarity with a functional language or with the first five chapters of The Little Schemer is assumed. For this second edition, the authors have greatly simplified the programming language used in the book, as well as the implementation of the language. In addition to revising the text extensively, and simplifying and revising the “Laws” and “Commandments,” they have added explicit “Translation” rules to ease translation of Scheme functions into relations.

Ideas That Created the Future

Ideas That Created the Future PDF Author: Harry R. Lewis
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 026236221X
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 518

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Book Description
Classic papers by thinkers ranging from from Aristotle and Leibniz to Norbert Wiener and Gordon Moore that chart the evolution of computer science. Ideas That Created the Future collects forty-six classic papers in computer science that map the evolution of the field. It covers all aspects of computer science: theory and practice, architectures and algorithms, and logic and software systems, with an emphasis on the period of 1936-1980 but also including important early work. Offering papers by thinkers ranging from Aristotle and Leibniz to Alan Turing and Nobert Wiener, the book documents the discoveries and inventions that created today's digital world. Each paper is accompanied by a brief essay by Harry Lewis, the volume's editor, offering historical and intellectual context.

Mathematics and Computation

Mathematics and Computation PDF Author: Avi Wigderson
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691189137
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 434

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Book Description
An introduction to computational complexity theory, its connections and interactions with mathematics, and its central role in the natural and social sciences, technology, and philosophy Mathematics and Computation provides a broad, conceptual overview of computational complexity theory—the mathematical study of efficient computation. With important practical applications to computer science and industry, computational complexity theory has evolved into a highly interdisciplinary field, with strong links to most mathematical areas and to a growing number of scientific endeavors. Avi Wigderson takes a sweeping survey of complexity theory, emphasizing the field’s insights and challenges. He explains the ideas and motivations leading to key models, notions, and results. In particular, he looks at algorithms and complexity, computations and proofs, randomness and interaction, quantum and arithmetic computation, and cryptography and learning, all as parts of a cohesive whole with numerous cross-influences. Wigderson illustrates the immense breadth of the field, its beauty and richness, and its diverse and growing interactions with other areas of mathematics. He ends with a comprehensive look at the theory of computation, its methodology and aspirations, and the unique and fundamental ways in which it has shaped and will further shape science, technology, and society. For further reading, an extensive bibliography is provided for all topics covered. Mathematics and Computation is useful for undergraduate and graduate students in mathematics, computer science, and related fields, as well as researchers and teachers in these fields. Many parts require little background, and serve as an invitation to newcomers seeking an introduction to the theory of computation. Comprehensive coverage of computational complexity theory, and beyond High-level, intuitive exposition, which brings conceptual clarity to this central and dynamic scientific discipline Historical accounts of the evolution and motivations of central concepts and models A broad view of the theory of computation's influence on science, technology, and society Extensive bibliography

Theory of Computer Science

Theory of Computer Science PDF Author: K. L. P. Mishra
Publisher: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
ISBN: 8120329686
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 437

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Book Description
This Third Edition, in response to the enthusiastic reception given by academia and students to the previous edition, offers a cohesive presentation of all aspects of theoretical computer science, namely automata, formal languages, computability, and complexity. Besides, it includes coverage of mathematical preliminaries. NEW TO THIS EDITION • Expanded sections on pigeonhole principle and the principle of induction (both in Chapter 2) • A rigorous proof of Kleene’s theorem (Chapter 5) • Major changes in the chapter on Turing machines (TMs) – A new section on high-level description of TMs – Techniques for the construction of TMs – Multitape TM and nondeterministic TM • A new chapter (Chapter 10) on decidability and recursively enumerable languages • A new chapter (Chapter 12) on complexity theory and NP-complete problems • A section on quantum computation in Chapter 12. • KEY FEATURES • Objective-type questions in each chapter—with answers provided at the end of the book. • Eighty-three additional solved examples—added as Supplementary Examples in each chapter. • Detailed solutions at the end of the book to chapter-end exercises. The book is designed to meet the needs of the undergraduate and postgraduate students of computer science and engineering as well as those of the students offering courses in computer applications.