What are automata?

Automata are a Latin word that means self-acting. The machine that works automatically is referred to
as automata. The theory of automata is the branch of theoretical computer science and discrete math. It
is the study of abstract machines that solves computation problems using these machines.

Automata are plural; the singular of automata is automaton.

Who invented automata?

The world's first successfully-built biomechanical automaton was invented by the French engineer
Jacques de Vaucanson in 1737

This subject “Theory of automata” generally focuses on the theoretical aspects of computer science.

This subject covers the following things:

 Defining Computer languages, formal and informal languages
 Theory of computation
 Compiler construction
 Formal verification
 Parsing

What is the difference between formal and informal languages?

Language:

Set of strings with rules

Formal languages:

The language that is concerned with some rules or syntax and words of that language gives some
meanings

Informal languages:

The language that is concerned with only some rules or syntax not with meaning. The words of that kind
of language have no meaning.
English Language Language1: Starts with L and end with e

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Concerned with just rules or syntax, not with

Concerned with rules and meaning meaning

Informal language or Semantic language Formal language or syntactic language

An automaton focuses on formal languages