Automata, Computability and Complexity

By Elaine A. Rich

Book Overview

For upper level courses on Automata. Combining classic theory with unique applications, this crisp narrative is supported by abundant examples and clarifies key concepts by introducing important uses... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 8131788229
• ISBN13: 9788131788226
• Release Date: January 2012
• Publisher: PEARSON INDIA
• Length: 1120 Pages
• Weight: 2.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 10.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A very helpful text

Everything I know about Automata Theory I learned from an early draft version of this book while enrolled in an Undergraduate course taught by Professor Rich. After completing her courses, I spent several semesters tutoring students in Automata using her book as a reference. While I have not read the final version of her text, the working versions I saw were very good. Automata Theory is a difficult subject to learn, and even harder to master, but I feel that Professor Rich's book does an excellent job of breaking down and organizing the material into digestible chunks. Having both learned, and to a lesser degree, taught from this book, I would give it my highest recommendation to any student interested (or required) in learn Automata Theory. Out of all of the computer science books I bought during my college career, this is one of the few that I actually read. To be honest, most students will hate Automata Theory, and to those that do I offer that this book is probably your best (and least painful) chance at passing the course. For the few students find the material intriguing, perhaps even enjoyable, this book will open your eyes to Automata Theory and provide you with a strong foundational understanding of its concepts.

Good Connection Between Practice and Theory, Pedagogical

I am currently taking a graduate course in a computational theory/theoretical computer science, so I am looking for any resource that can help me get a better understanding of the theoretical foundations. I found Dr. Rich's book very helpful in assisting me understand theoretical concepts that have practical applications, or understand the theoretical concepts that are usually obscured beneath the maze of the mathematical symbolism, but that are otherwise not that difficult to grasp. I have found her visual depictions of the problems very helpful, and I have specially liked how she connects theoretical computers science (e.g. halting, undecidability) with common software engineering tools and tasks such as compilers and programming languages. Standard topics are covered as in other leading books in the field (Sipser, Hopcroft, Papadimitrou, ). The difference is that it seems that Dr. Rich has spent more time explaining and illustrating concepts (book is 1100 pages long). I still recommend other books as the primary sources as they are as complete as they are concise, but I also recommend using this book if nothing as the supplementary learning aid. This book helped me understand the problems required for my homeworks and exams, so, if for nothing else, I have to give it just for that fact five stars.