A Concise Introduction to Languages and Machines by Alan P Parkes

A Concise Introduction to Languages and Machines by Alan P Parkes

This easy-to-follow text provides an accessible introduction to the key topics of formal languages and abstract machines within Computer Science. The author follows the formula of his first book, but makes these core computing topics more fundamental.

From the reviews:

"Parkes … has done an excellent job of explaining all the notations and processes in the beginning of the volume to permit readers to follow his descriptions… The well-written text contains numerous diagrams and examples, and each chapter contains a problem set with answers in the back. … Overall, this is a very good introductory book for undergraduate computer science students. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-and upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and two-year technical program students." (H. J. Bender, Choice, Vol. 46 (6), February, 2009)

"This book focuses on the key theoretical aspects of computing, in particular formal languages and automata theory. … The book provides modern approaches for students who plan to choose CS as their first choice. Languages, machines and their properties are well documented by examples and exercises. It is interesting to note that the book provides solutions to exercises which will help students when working on their own. The book is well written and recommended for course adoption." (Prabhat Kumar Mahanti, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1157, 2009)

"In this book, Parkes attempts to make the material accessible to a much wider and mathematically less sophisticated audience … . This book fills a niche for non-computer science majors, first- and second-year majors looking for an enrichment topic, and computer science programs that, for one reason or another, wish to offer the theory course with a minimum of prerequisites." (R. Roos, ACM Computing Reviews, March, 2009)

“It’s about the theory of formal languages, grammar and abstract machines … . What is special about this particular text book is that it attempts to introduce the very mathematical ideas of formal grammars and symbolic manipulation in a way that is easy to understand even if you don’t know much modern maths. … If you are looking for a textbook to base a course on, or need a refresherespecially if your maths is a little rusty, this is a good choice … .” (Mike James, I Programmer, July, 2009)

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781848001206
ISBN 10	1848001207
Title	A Concise Introduction to Languages and Machines
Author	Alan P Parkes
Series	Undergraduate Topics In Computer Science
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Springer London Ltd
Year published	2008-09-29
Number of pages	346
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.