Halting problem (nonfiction): Difference between revisions
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File:Companion of Asclepius Myrmidon.jpg|link=Asclepius Myrmidon|[[Asclepius Myrmidon]] finds Halting problem, forecasts multiple casualties from [[Pi disaster]]. | File:Companion of Asclepius Myrmidon.jpg|link=Asclepius Myrmidon|[[Asclepius Myrmidon]] finds Halting problem, forecasts multiple casualties from [[Pi disaster]]. | ||
File:Forbidden_Ratio_symbol.jpg|link=Forbidden Ratio|Supervillains [[Forbidden Ratio]] and [[Gnotilus]] form [[Crime team (nonfiction)|crime team]] to destroy the [[Golden ratio (nonfiction)|Golden ratio]]. | File:Forbidden_Ratio_symbol.jpg|link=Forbidden Ratio|Supervillains [[Forbidden Ratio]] and [[Gnotilus]] form [[Crime team (nonfiction)|crime team]] to destroy the [[Golden ratio (nonfiction)|Golden ratio]]. | ||
File:Mathematical function.svg|link=Mathematical function (nonfiction)|Law-abiding [[Mathematical function (nonfiction)|mathematical functions]] have nothing to fear from [[Crimes against mathematical constants]], say crime authorities. | |||
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Revision as of 09:39, 21 June 2016
In computability theory, the halting problem is the problem of determining, from a description of an arbitrary computer program and an input, whether the program will finish running or continue to run forever. See Computation (nonfiction).
Alan Turing proved in 1936 that a general algorithm to solve the halting problem for all possible program-input pairs cannot exist.
A key part of the proof was a mathematical definition of a computer and program, which became known as a Turing machine; the halting problem is undecidable over Turing machines.
It is one of the first examples of a decision problem.
In the News
Asclepius Myrmidon finds Halting problem, forecasts multiple casualties from Pi disaster.
Supervillains Forbidden Ratio and Gnotilus form crime team to destroy the Golden ratio.
Law-abiding mathematical functions have nothing to fear from Crimes against mathematical constants, say crime authorities.
Fiction cross-reference
Nonfiction cross-reference
- Halting problem @ Wikipedia