Bounded Queries in Recursion Theory (Hardcover)

William Levine

ISBN 10: 0817639667 / ISBN 13: 9780817639662

Published by Birkhauser Boston Inc, Secaucus, 1998

Hardcover. One of the major concerns of theoretical computer science is the classifi cation of problems in terms of how hard they are. The natural measure of difficulty of a function is the amount of time needed to compute it (as a function of the length of the input). Other resources, such as space, have also been considered. In recursion theory, by contrast, a function is considered to be easy to compute if there exists some algorithm that computes it. We wish to classify functions that are hard, i.e., not computable, in a quantitative way. We cannot use time or space, since the functions are not even computable. We cannot use Turing degree, since this notion is not quantitative. Hence we need a new notion of complexity-much like time or spac~that is quantitative and yet in some way captures the level of difficulty (such as the Turing degree) of a function. The natural measure of difficulty of a function is the amount of time needed to compute it (as a function of the length of the input). In recursion theory, by contrast, a function is considered to be easy to compute if there exists some algorithm that computes it. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780817639662

Synopsis:

One of the major concerns of theoretical computer science is the classifi­ cation of problems in terms of how hard they are. The natural measure of difficulty of a function is the amount of time needed to compute it (as a function of the length of the input). Other resources, such as space, have also been considered. In recursion theory, by contrast, a function is considered to be easy to compute if there exists some algorithm that computes it. We wish to classify functions that are hard, i.e., not computable, in a quantitative way. We cannot use time or space, since the functions are not even computable. We cannot use Turing degree, since this notion is not quantitative. Hence we need a new notion of complexity-much like time or spac~that is quantitative and yet in some way captures the level of difficulty (such as the Turing degree) of a function.

Product Description: Bounded Queries in Computability Theory Recursion theory in theoretical computer science has been a growing area for over a decade. Using a combination of techniques in recursion theory and combinatorics, this work should appeal to advanced undergraduates seeking an introductory course in recursion theory, as well as graduates. Full description

Bibliographic Details

Title: Bounded Queries in Recursion Theory (...
Publisher: Birkhauser Boston Inc, Secaucus
Publication Date: 1998
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: new