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Theory 2: Formal Languages & Automata - COM00014C

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  • Department: Computer Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Steve King
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

Formal Languages and Automata

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

Students taking this module will be introduced to the concepts of formal languages and the abstract machines that accept them as a way of describing computation. Students will have a deep understanding of finite automata and pushdown automata, with their associated languages and related proof techniques, and will be introduced to more complex machines accepting context sensitive and recursively enumerable languages for purposes of being able to identify and describe them.

Module learning outcomes

  • Describe and illustrate the concepts of formal languages, automata and grammars, and the relations between them;
  • Construct a variety of abstract machines including: deterministic and non-deterministic finite automata, deterministic and non-deterministic pushdown automata and Turing machines;
  • Distinguish different classes of automata, and the languages they accept;
  • Apply a variety of operations to transform and convert between automata;
  • Convert between grammars and automata for regular and context-free languages;
  • Demonstrate that a grammar is ambiguous;
  • Apply the pumping lemma for regular and context-free languages to show a language is not regular or context-free respectively;
  • Describe the Chomsky hierarchy;
  • Identify key applications in computing where regular and context-free languages are used in practice; and
  • Use automata theory as the basis for building lexers and parsers.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Theory 2: Formal Languages & Automata		 4 hours 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Theory 2: Formal Languages & Automata		 4 hours 100

Module feedback

Feedback is provided through work in practical sessions, and after the final assessment as per normal University guidelines.

Indicative reading

  • *** Peter Linz, An introduction to formal languages and automata. Sixth Edition. Jones and Bartlett Computer Science. 2017
  • ** D.I. Cohen, Introduction to Computer Theory. 2nd Edition. Wiley. 1997
  • ** Hopcroft, John E. and Motwani, Rajeev and Ullman, Jeffrey D., Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages and Computation (3rd ed.), Pearson Education, 2013
  • ** S.H. Rodger and T.W. Finley, JFLAP: An interactive formal language and automata package. Jones and Bartlett Computer Science. 2006. Available online
  • * Martin, John C., Introduction to Languages and the Theory of Computation (4th ed.), McGraw Hill, 2010
  • * Rich, Elaine, Automata, Computability and Complexity, Pearson Education, 2008
  • * Sipser, Michael, Introduction to the Theory of Computation (3rd ed.), South-Western College Publishing, 2012


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.