Linearly bounded infinite graphs

Linearly bounded Turing machines have been mainly studied as acceptors for context-sensitive languages. We define a natural class of infinite automata representing their observable computational behavior, called linearly bounded graphs. These automata naturally accept the same languages as the linearly bounded machines defining them. We present some of their structural properties as well as alternative characterizations in terms of rewriting systems and context-sensitive transductions. Finally, we compare these graphs to rational graphs, which are another class of automata accepting the context-sensitive languages, and prove that in the bounded-degree case, rational graphs are a strict sub-class of linearly bounded graphs

On finite complete rewriting systems, finite derivation type, and automaticity for homogeneous monoids

This paper investigates the class of finitely presented monoids defined by homogeneous (length-preserving) relations from a computational perspective. The properties of admitting a finite complete rewriting system, having finite derivation type, being automatic, and being biautomatic are investigated for this class of monoids. The first main result shows that for any consistent combination of these properties and their negations, there is a homogeneous monoid with exactly this combination of properties. We then introduce the new concept of abstract Rees-commensurability (an analogue of the notion of abstract commensurability for groups) in order to extend this result to show that the same statement holds even if one restricts attention to the class of n-ary homogeneous monoids (where every side of every relation has fixed length n). We then introduce a new encoding technique that allows us to extend the result partially to the class of n-ary multihomogenous monoids

On finite complete rewriting systems, finite derivation type, and automaticity for homogeneous monoids

This paper investigates the class of finitely presented monoids defined by homogeneous (length-preserving) relations from a computational perspective. The properties of admitting a finite complete rewriting system, having finite derivation type, being automatic, and being biautomatic are investigated for this class of monoids. The first main result shows that for any consistent combination of these properties and their negations, there is a homogeneous monoid with exactly this combination of properties. We then introduce the new concept of abstract Rees-commensurability (an analogue of the notion of abstract commensurability for groups) in order to extend this result to show that the same statement holds even if one restricts attention to the class of n-ary homogeneous monoids (where every side of every relation has fixed length n). We then introduce a new encoding technique that allows us to extend the result partially to the class of n-ary multihomogenous monoids

Markov semigroups, monoids, and groups

A group is Markov if it admits a prefix-closed regular language of unique representatives with respect to some generating set, and strongly Markov if it admits such a language of unique minimal-length representatives over every generating set. This paper considers the natural generalizations of these concepts to semigroups and monoids. Two distinct potential generalizations to monoids are shown to be equivalent. Various interesting examples are presented, including an example of a non-Markov monoid that nevertheless admits a regular language of unique representatives over any generating set. It is shown that all finitely generated commutative semigroups are strongly Markov, but that finitely generated subsemigroups of virtually abelian or polycyclic groups need not be. Potential connections with word-hyperbolic semigroups are investigated. A study is made of the interaction of the classes of Markov and strongly Markov semigroups with direct products, free products, and finite-index subsemigroups and extensions. Several questions are posed.Comment: 40 pages; 3 figure

Extensional and Intensional Strategies

This paper is a contribution to the theoretical foundations of strategies. We first present a general definition of abstract strategies which is extensional in the sense that a strategy is defined explicitly as a set of derivations of an abstract reduction system. We then move to a more intensional definition supporting the abstract view but more operational in the sense that it describes a means for determining such a set. We characterize the class of extensional strategies that can be defined intensionally. We also give some hints towards a logical characterization of intensional strategies and propose a few challenging perspectives