16 research outputs found
Tree Languages Defined in First-Order Logic with One Quantifier Alternation
We study tree languages that can be defined in \Delta_2 . These are tree
languages definable by a first-order formula whose quantifier prefix is forall
exists, and simultaneously by a first-order formula whose quantifier prefix is
. For the quantifier free part we consider two signatures, either the
descendant relation alone or together with the lexicographical order relation
on nodes. We provide an effective characterization of tree and forest languages
definable in \Delta_2 . This characterization is in terms of algebraic
equations. Over words, the class of word languages definable in \Delta_2 forms
a robust class, which was given an effective algebraic characterization by Pin
and Weil
Tree languages defined in first-order logic with one quantifier alternation
International audienceWe study tree languages that can be defined in Δ2. These are tree languages definable by a first-order formula whose quantifier prefix is ∃ * ∀ * , and simultaneously by a first-order formula whose quantifier prefix is ∀ * ∃ *. For the quantifier free part we consider two signatures, either the descendant relation alone or together with the lexicographical order relation on nodes. We provide an effective characterization of tree and forest languages definable in Δ2. This characterization is in terms of algebraic equations. Over words, the class of word languages definable in Δ2 forms a robust class, which was given an effective algebraic characterization by Pin and Weil [11]
Fragments of first-order logic over infinite words
We give topological and algebraic characterizations as well as language
theoretic descriptions of the following subclasses of first-order logic FO[<]
for omega-languages: Sigma_2, FO^2, the intersection of FO^2 and Sigma_2, and
Delta_2 (and by duality Pi_2 and the intersection of FO^2 and Pi_2). These
descriptions extend the respective results for finite words. In particular, we
relate the above fragments to language classes of certain (unambiguous)
polynomials. An immediate consequence is the decidability of the membership
problem of these classes, but this was shown before by Wilke and Bojanczyk and
is therefore not our main focus. The paper is about the interplay of algebraic,
topological, and language theoretic properties.Comment: Conference version presented at 26th International Symposium on
Theoretical Aspects of Computer Science, STACS 200
Piecewise testable tree languages
This paper presents a decidable characterization of tree languages that can
be defined by a boolean combination of Sigma_1 sentences. This is a tree
extension of the Simon theorem, which says that a string language can be
defined by a boolean combination of Sigma_1 sentences if and only if its
syntactic monoid is J-trivial
Wreath Products of Forest Algebras, with Applications to Tree Logics
We use the recently developed theory of forest algebras to find algebraic
characterizations of the languages of unranked trees and forests definable in
various logics. These include the temporal logics CTL and EF, and first-order
logic over the ancestor relation. While the characterizations are in general
non-effective, we are able to use them to formulate necessary conditions for
definability and provide new proofs that a number of languages are not
definable in these logics
Tree Languages Defined in First-Order Logic with One Quantifier Alternation
We study tree languages that can be defined in \Delta_2 . These are tree
languages definable by a first-order formula whose quantifier prefix is forall
exists, and simultaneously by a first-order formula whose quantifier prefix is
. For the quantifier free part we consider two signatures, either the
descendant relation alone or together with the lexicographical order relation
on nodes. We provide an effective characterization of tree and forest languages
definable in \Delta_2 . This characterization is in terms of algebraic
equations. Over words, the class of word languages definable in \Delta_2 forms
a robust class, which was given an effective algebraic characterization by Pin
and Weil