Non-deterministic Finite Automaton
In NDFA, for a particular input symbol, the machine can move to any combination of the
states in the machine. In other words, the exact state to which the machine moves cannot
be determined. Hence, it is called Non-deterministic Automaton. As it has finite
number of states, the machine is called Non-deterministic Finite Machine or Non-
deterministic Finite Automaton.
Formal Definition of an NDFA
An NDFA can be represented by a 5-tuple (Q, ∑, δ, q0, F) where −
Q is a finite set of states.
∑ is a finite set of symbols called the alphabets.
δ is the transition function where δ: Q × ∑ → 2Q
(Here the power set of Q (2Q) has been taken because in case of NDFA, from a
state, transition can occur to any combination of Q states)
q0 is the initial state from where any input is processed (q0 ∈ Q).
F is a set of final state/states of Q (F ⊆ Q).
Graphical Representation of an NDFA: (same as DFA)
An NDFA is represented by digraphs called state diagram.
The vertices represent the states.
The arcs labeled with an input alphabet show the transitions.
The initial state is denoted by an empty single incoming arc.
The final state is indicated by double circles.
Example
Let a non-deterministic finite automaton be →
Q = {a, b, c}
∑ = {0, 1}
q0 = {a}
F = {c}
The transition function δ as shown below −
Present State Next State for Input 0 Next State for Input 1
a a, b b
b c a, c
c b, c c
Its graphical representation would be as follows −
DFA vs NDFA
The following table lists the differences between DFA and NDFA.
DFA NDFA
The transition from a state is to a single The transition from a state can be to
particular next state for each input multiple next states for each input symbol.
symbol. Hence it is called deterministic. Hence it is called non-deterministic.
Empty string transitions are not seen in
NDFA permits empty string transitions.
DFA.
In NDFA, backtracking is not always
Backtracking is allowed in DFA
possible.
Requires more space. Requires less space.
A string is accepted by a DFA, if it transits A string is accepted by a NDFA, if at least
to a final state. one of all possible transitions ends in a
final state.
Acceptors, Classifiers, and Transducers
Acceptor (Recognizer)
An automaton that computes a Boolean function is called an acceptor. All the states of an
acceptor is either accepting or rejecting the inputs given to it.
Classifier
A classifier has more than two final states and it gives a single output when it
terminates.
Transducer
An automaton that produces outputs based on current input and/or previous state is called
a transducer. Transducers can be of two types −
Mealy Machine − The output depends both on the current state and the current
input.
Moore Machine − The output depends only on the current state.
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Acceptability by DFA and NDFA
A string is accepted by a DFA/NDFA iff the DFA/NDFA starting at the initial state ends in an
accepting state (any of the final states) after reading the string wholly.
A string S is accepted by a DFA/NDFA (Q, ∑, δ, q0, F), iff
δ*(q0, S) ∈ F
The language L accepted by DFA/NDFA is
{S | S ∈ ∑* and δ*(q0, S) ∈ F}
A string S′ is not accepted by a DFA/NDFA (Q, ∑, δ, q0, F), iff
δ*(q0, S′) ∉ F
The language L′ not accepted by DFA/NDFA (Complement of accepted language L) is
{S | S ∈ ∑* and δ*(q0, S) ∉ F}
Example
Let us consider the DFA shown in Figure 1.3. From the DFA, the acceptable strings can be
derived.
Strings accepted by the above DFA: {0, 00, 11, 010, 101, ...........}
Strings not accepted by the above DFA: {1, 011, 111, ........}
