computer science

Introduction to the Theory of Computation

Introduction to the Theory of Computation is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Introduction to the Theory of Computation rather than just read about it. In short: Introduction to the Theory of Computation (ISBN 0-534-95097-3) is a textbook in theoretical computer science, written by Michael Sipser and first published by PWS Publishing in 1997. The third edition appeared in July 2012.

Key takeaways

Introduction to the Theory of Computation belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Introduction to the Theory of Computation to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Introduction to the Theory of Computation from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Introduction to the Theory of Computation (ISBN 0-534-95097-3) is a textbook in theoretical computer science, written by Michael Sipser and first published by PWS Publishing in 1997. The third edition appeared in July 2012.

See also Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages, and Computation by John Hopcroft and Jeffrey Ullman, an older textbook in the same field

References

External links Information on Introduction to the Theory of Computation (by Michael Sipser)

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Introduction to the Theory of Computation

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Introduction to the Theory of Computation claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Introduction to the Theory of Computation before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Introduction to the Theory of Computation ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Introduction to the Theory of Computation

In research: Introduction to the Theory of Computation appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Introduction to the Theory of Computation in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Introduction to the Theory of Computation is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Computational complexity theory, Computer book stubs, Computer science books, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Introduction to the Theory of Computation outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Introduction to the Theory of Computation in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Introduction to the Theory of Computation means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Introduction to the Theory of Computation out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Introduction to the Theory of Computation in simple terms?

Why does Introduction to the Theory of Computation matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Introduction to the Theory of Computation?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Introduction to the Theory of Computation.