A Java-based tool for reasoning about models of computation through simulating finite automata and Turing machines

  • Authors:
  • Matthew B. Robinson;Jason A. Hamshar;Jorge E. Novillo;Andrew T. Duchowski

  • Affiliations:
  • WebScope, Inc., 3977 E. Bayshore Rd., Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA;Sterling Software, Beeches Technical, Campus, Rt. 26N, Rome, NY;SUNY Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 3050, Utica, NY;Clemson University, 451 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC

  • Venue:
  • SIGCSE '99 The proceedings of the thirtieth SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education
  • Year:
  • 1999

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Abstract

Interactive visualization tools for models of computation provide a more compelling means of exploration and feedback than traditional paper and pencil methods in theory of computation courses. The Java Computability Toolkit (JCT) is introduced here as a new teaching aide and as an exploratory student's supplement to a course on theory of computation. JCT consists of two Java multiple-window, web-accessible, graphical environments, allowing the construction and simulation of finite automata and Turing machines. This paper discusses JCT's use, design, and applications in teaching.