Turing Machines
A Turing Machine is a theoretical model used to understand what can be computed. Imagine a simple computer with a tape that extends infinitely in both directions. This tape holds symbols and the machine has a head that reads and writes symbols on the tape. It follows a set of rules based on the current symbol it sees to change states and move along the tape. Turing Machines help us explore the limits of computation, showing what problems can be solved by computers and what cannot, laying the groundwork for modern computer science and theories of algorithmic problems.
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A Turing machine is a theoretical device in computer science that helps us understand how computers process information. Imagine it as a very simple machine with an infinite tape divided into squares, each holding a symbol. It has a read/write head that can move left or right, reading symbols and writing new ones based on a set of rules. Turing machines can simulate any computation, making them a fundamental model for defining what can be computed. They illustrate the limits of computation and have influenced the development of modern computers and algorithms.