Turing Machine Introduction
Turing Machine Introduction
A Turing Machine is an accepting device which accepts the languages recursivelyenumerableset generated by
type 0 grammars. It was invented in 1936 by Alan Turing.
Definition
A Turing Machine T M is a mathematical model which consists of an infinite length tape divided into cells on
which input is given. It consists of a head which reads the input tape. A state register stores the state of the
Turing machine. After reading an input symbol, it is replaced with another symbol, its internal state is
changed, and it moves from one cell to the right or left. If the TM reaches the final state, the input string is
accepted, otherwise rejected.
The following table shows a comparison of how a Turing machine differs from Finite Automaton and
Pushdown Automaton.
X = {a, b}
∑ = {1}
q0 = {q0}
B = blank symbol
F = {qf }
δ is given by −
Tape alphabet symbol Present State ‘q0’ Present State ‘q1’ Present State ‘q2’
Here the transition 1Rq1 implies that the write symbol is 1, the tape moves right, and the next state is q1.
Similarly, the transition 1Lq2 implies that the write symbol is 1, the tape moves left, and the next state is q2.
Tn = Onlogn
Sn = On