Turing machine (nonfiction): Difference between revisions
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A '''Turing machine''' is a hypothetical device that manipulates [[Symbol|symbols]] on a strip of tape according to a table of rules. | [[File:TuringBeispielAnimatedGIF.gif|right|frame|Animated diagram of a Turing machine.]]A '''Turing machine''' is a hypothetical device that manipulates [[Symbol|symbols]] on a strip of tape according to a table of rules. | ||
Despite its simplicity, a Turing machine can be adapted to simulate the [[logic (nonfiction)]] of any computer algorithm. | |||
Despite its simplicity, a Turing machine can be adapted to simulate the logic of any computer algorithm. | |||
At a very high level, the machine consists of a memory tape divided into cells. | At a very high level, the machine consists of a memory tape divided into cells. | ||
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A "head" (e.g. a pencil/eraser) traverses the memory one cell at a time, writing or erasing data (e.g. numerical digits) based on user-specified rules. | A "head" (e.g. a pencil/eraser) traverses the memory one cell at a time, writing or erasing data (e.g. numerical digits) based on user-specified rules. | ||
The "machine" was invented in 1936 by [[Alan Turing]] who called it an "a-machine" (automatic machine). | The "machine" was invented in 1936 by [[Alan Turing (nonfiction)]] who called it an "a-machine" (automatic machine). | ||
The Turing machine is not intended as practical computing technology, but rather as a hypothetical device representing a computing machine. | The Turing machine is not intended as practical computing technology, but rather as a hypothetical device representing a computing machine. | ||
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Turing machines help computer scientists understand the limits of mechanical computation. | Turing machines help computer scientists understand the limits of mechanical computation. | ||
[[Turing completeness]] is the ability for a system of instructions to simulate a Turing machine. | [[Turing completeness (nonfiction)]] is the ability for a system of instructions to simulate a Turing machine. | ||
A [[programming language]] that is [[Turing complete]] is theoretically capable of expressing all tasks accomplishable by computers. | |||
== In the News == | |||
= | <gallery mode="traditional"> | ||
</gallery> | |||
== Fiction cross-reference == | |||
* [[Alan Turing]] | |||
* [[Turing machine]] | |||
== | == Nonfiction cross-reference == | ||
* [[Alonzo Church | * [[Alan Turing (nonfiction)]] | ||
* [[Computer science]] | * [[Alonzo Church (nonfiction)]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Computation (nonfiction)]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Computer science (nonfiction)]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Lamplighter group (nonfiction)]] - | ||
* [[ | * [[Mathematics (nonfiction)]] | ||
* [[Quantum simulator (nonfiction)]] | |||
* [[Theory of computation (nonfiction)]] | |||
* [[Turing completeness (nonfiction)]] | |||
* [[Universal Turing machine (nonfiction)]] | |||
External links: | |||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_machine Turing machine] @ Wikipedia | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_machine Turing machine] @ Wikipedia | ||
[[Category:Nonfiction (nonfiction)]] | |||
[[Category:Alan Turing (nonfiction)]] | |||
[[Category:Turing machine (nonfiction)]] | |||
Latest revision as of 08:46, 4 February 2018
Animated diagram of a Turing machine.
A Turing machine is a hypothetical device that manipulates symbols on a strip of tape according to a table of rules.
Despite its simplicity, a Turing machine can be adapted to simulate the logic (nonfiction) of any computer algorithm.
At a very high level, the machine consists of a memory tape divided into cells.
A "head" (e.g. a pencil/eraser) traverses the memory one cell at a time, writing or erasing data (e.g. numerical digits) based on user-specified rules.
The "machine" was invented in 1936 by Alan Turing (nonfiction) who called it an "a-machine" (automatic machine).
The Turing machine is not intended as practical computing technology, but rather as a hypothetical device representing a computing machine.
Turing machines help computer scientists understand the limits of mechanical computation.
Turing completeness (nonfiction) is the ability for a system of instructions to simulate a Turing machine.
A programming language that is Turing complete is theoretically capable of expressing all tasks accomplishable by computers.
In the News
Fiction cross-reference
Nonfiction cross-reference
- Alan Turing (nonfiction)
- Alonzo Church (nonfiction)
- Computation (nonfiction)
- Computer science (nonfiction)
- Lamplighter group (nonfiction) -
- Mathematics (nonfiction)
- Quantum simulator (nonfiction)
- Theory of computation (nonfiction)
- Turing completeness (nonfiction)
- Universal Turing machine (nonfiction)
External links:
- Turing machine @ Wikipedia