Hypercard automata simulation: finite-state, pushdown and Turing machines

DG Hannay - ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, 1992 - dl.acm.org
DG Hannay
ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, 1992dl.acm.org
This paper describes a package of highly interactive simulation models for the concepts
taught in Theory of Computing courses. Macintosh Hypercard stacks are used to
demonstrate the three basic automata models: Finite-State Machines, Push-Down
Machines, and Turing Machines. These simulations feature multiple named machines on the
same stack, accessible via a customized menu or buttons on the screen. Because of the
scripts hidden behind the visible screen, with just a click of a butto students can alter starting …
This paper describes a package of highly interactive simulation models for the concepts taught in Theory of Computing courses. Macintosh Hypercard stacks are used to demonstrate the three basic automata models: Finite-State Machines, Push-Down Machines, and Turing Machines. These simulations feature multiple named machines on the same stack, accessible via a customized menu or buttons on the screen. Because of the scripts hidden behind the visible screen, with just a click of a butto students can alter starting states, the set of input symbols, the number of states, the finality of states, or the action based on a given state/input combination. These simulations have been successfully used in conjunction with a course on the Theory of Computing at Union College since 1989. Students have responded enthusiastically to this concrete method of teaching abstract concepts.
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