Lecture 2

Models of Computation &

Language Attributes
Model Of Computation
• A model of computation is a model which
describes how an output of a
mathematical function is computed given
an input.

• A model describes how units of

computations, memories, and
communications are organized.

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Categories (Sequential Model)

• A sequential computational model is one in

which instructions are executed one after
another.
• There may be branches in the program, but
the general principle is that each
instruction follows on from the previous
one.
• Sequential models
- FSM
- PDA
- TM

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Categories (Functional Model)
• A function model or functional model is a
structured representation of the functions
(activities, actions, processes, operations)
within the modeled system or subject area.
• Functional models
- Lambda calculus
- Abstract rewriting systems
- Combinatory logic

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Lambda Calculus

• Lambda calculus is a formal system in

mathematical logic for expressing
computation based on function abstraction
and application using variable binding and
substitution.
• It is a universal model of computation that
can be used to simulate any Turing
machine. It was introduced by the
mathematician Alonzo Church in the 1930s
as part of his research into the foundations
of mathematics.

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Lambda Calculus

• Lambda calculus consists of constructing

lambda terms and performing reduction
operations on them. In the simplest form of
lambda calculus, terms are built using only
the following rules:

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Categories (Concurrent Model)

• Concurrent computing describes a process

where multiple programs or threads are
managed by one computing system
through the process of alternating
timeshared slices.

• Concurrent models
- Actor model
- Cellular automaton
- Kahn process networks

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Lambda Calculus

Some Math's ???

Not Today!!
😇
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Actor Model

• The actor model in computer science is a

mathematical model of concurrent computation
that treats actor as the universal primitive of
concurrent computation.
• In response to a message it receives, an actor can:
make local decisions, create more actors, send
more messages, and determine how to respond to
the next message received.
• Actors may modify their own private state, but can
only affect each other indirectly through
messaging

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Actor Model

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General attributes of a good
Language
• Clarity, simplicity, and unity - provides both a
framework for thinking about algorithms and a
means of expressing those algorithms

• Orthogonality -every combination of features is

meaningful

• Naturalness for the application - program structure

reflects the logical structure of algorithm

• Support for abstraction - program data reflects

problem being solved
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General attributes of a good
Language
• Ease of program verification - verifying that program
correctly performs its required function

• Programming environment - external support for the

language

• Portability of programs - transportability of the resulting

programs from the computer on which they are developed to
other computer systems

• Cost of use - program execution, program translation,

program creation, and program maintenance

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