Turing Machines and Equivalent Models: Deepak D'Souza
Turing Machines and Equivalent Models: Deepak D'Souza
Deepak D’Souza
13 November 2019
Robustness of TM model Other equivalent models
Outline
1 Robustness of TM model
` c a b a b b a a [ [
` a a b a b a a a [ [
Finite control
Multiple tapes (say 3), each with its own read-write head.
Each step: In current state p, read current symbols under the
tape heads, say a, b, c: Change state to q, replace current
symbols by a0 , b 0 , c 0 , and move each head left or right.
(p, a, b, c) → (q, a0 , b 0 , c 0 , L/R, L/R, L/R).
Robustness of TM model Other equivalent models
` `
b [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [
`
b [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [
(−, s, −, −, −)
[ b b a a b a b a a a [ [
Finite control
Single two-way infinite tape.
Robustness of TM model Other equivalent models
a b a b a a [ [[ [ [ [
` [ [
[ b b a a b a b a a a [
(p, U/L)
Church-Turing Thesis
The definition of computability based on Turing machines,
captures the “right” notion of computability.
Non-deterministic TM
` a b b a b a a c [ [
` 0 1 0 1 0 [ [ [ [ [
` a a b b
a b a a a [ [
p
Robustness of TM model Other equivalent models
2-stack PDA
a
a
b a
b
b a
b a
a
a
p
` a
` a
The PDA can read the 2 top of stacks, and make a push/pop
move independently on each stack.
A 2-tape TM can easily simulate such a PDA.
Conversely, a 2-stack PDA can simulate a TM.
Robustness of TM model Other equivalent models
Counter Machines
` a a b a b a a a [ [
1
1
1
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 p 1
1 1
In each step, based on the current symbol and its control state, a
2-counter machine (with counters c and d) can test c or d for zero,
or increment/decrement c/d, move L/R, and change its control
state.
A TM can easily simulate a 2-counter machine.
Conversely, a 4-counter machine can simulate a 2-stack PDA (and
hence a TM).
A 2-counter machine can simulate a 4-counter machine.