Quantum Automata and Quantum Grammars

To study quantum computation, it might be helpful to generalize structures from language and automata theory to the quantum case. To that end, we propose quantum versions of finite-state and push-down automata, and regular and context-free grammars. We find analogs of several classical theorems, including pumping lemmas, closure properties, rational and algebraic generating functions, and Greibach normal form. We also show that there are quantum context-free languages that are not context-free.Comment: 21 page

Representation Theory of Finite Semigroups, Semigroup Radicals and Formal Language Theory

In this paper we characterize the congruence associated to the direct sum of all irreducible representations of a finite semigroup over an arbitrary field, generalizing results of Rhodes for the field of complex numbers. Applications are given to obtain many new results, as well as easier proofs of several results in the literature, involving: triangularizability of finite semigroups; which semigroups have (split) basic semigroup algebras, two-sided semidirect product decompositions of finite monoids; unambiguous products of rational languages; products of rational languages with counter; and \v{C}ern\'y's conjecture for an important class of automata

Weighted Regular Tree Grammars with Storage

We introduce weighted regular tree grammars with storage as combination of (a) regular tree grammars with storage and (b) weighted tree automata over multioperator monoids. Each weighted regular tree grammar with storage generates a weighted tree language, which is a mapping from the set of trees to the multioperator monoid. We prove that, for multioperator monoids canonically associated to particular strong bi-monoids, the support of the generated weighted tree languages can be generated by (unweighted) regular tree grammars with storage. We characterize the class of all generated weighted tree languages by the composition of three basic concepts. Moreover, we prove results on the elimination of chain rules and of finite storage types, and we characterize weighted regular tree grammars with storage by a new weighted MSO-logic.Comment: added errat

On the state complexity of closures and interiors of regular languages with subwords and superwords

The downward and upward closures of a regular language $L$ are obtained by collecting all the subwords and superwords of its elements, respectively. The downward and upward interiors of $L$ are obtained dually by collecting words having all their subwords and superwords in $L$, respectively. We provide lower and upper bounds on the size of the smallest automata recognizing these closures and interiors. We also consider the computational complexity of decision problems for closures of regular languages

Streamable Regular Transductions

Motivated by real-time monitoring and data processing applications, we develop a formal theory of quantitative queries for streaming data that can be evaluated efficiently. We consider the model of unambiguous Cost Register Automata (CRAs), which are machines that combine finite-state control (for identifying regular patterns) with a finite set of data registers (for computing numerical aggregates). The definition of CRAs is parameterized by the collection of numerical operations that can be applied to the registers. These machines give rise to the class of streamable regular transductions (SR), and to the class of streamable linear regular transductions (SLR) when the register updates are copyless, i.e. every register appears at most once the right-hand-side expressions of the updates. We give a logical characterization of the class SR (resp., SLR) using MSO-definable transformations from strings to DAGs (resp., trees) without backward edges. Additionally, we establish that the two classes SR and SLR are closed under operations that are relevant for designing query languages. Finally, we study the relationship with weighted automata (WA), and show that CRAs over a suitably chosen set of operations correspond to WA, thus establishing that WA are a special case of CRAs.Comment: 53 page

On the enumerating series of an abstract numeration system

It is known that any rational abstract numeration system is faithfully, and effectively, represented by an N-rational series. A simple proof of this result is given which yields a representation of this series which in turn allows a simple computation of the value of words in this system and easy constructions for the recognition of recognisable sets of numbers. It is also shown that conversely it is decidable whether an N-rational series corresponds to a rational abstract numeration system.Comment: presented at the Journ\'ees Montoises d'Informatique Th\'eorique 2010, Sept. 2010, Amiens (France

The Chomsky-Sch\"utzenberger Theorem for Quantitative Context-Free Languages

Weighted automata model quantitative aspects of systems like the consumption of resources during executions. Traditionally, the weights are assumed to form the algebraic structure of a semiring, but recently also other weight computations like average have been considered. Here, we investigate quantitative context-free languages over very general weight structures incorporating all semirings, average computations, lattices, and more. In our main result, we derive the fundamental Chomsky-Sch\"utzenberger theorem for such quantitative context-free languages, showing that each arises as the image of a Dyck language and a regular language under a suitable morphism. Moreover, we show that quantitative context-free language are expressively equivalent to a model of weighted pushdown automata. This generalizes results previously known only for semirings. We also investigate when quantitative context-free languages assume only finitely many values.Comment: This new version combines a conference and a journal paper of the authors on the same topic, see references [15,16], and supplements them by a few additional examples and more detailed proofs. It also corrects a mistake in Theorem 7.7 of the first arxiv version (the property sequential was missing

Two-Way Automata Making Choices Only at the Endmarkers

The question of the state-size cost for simulation of two-way nondeterministic automata (2NFAs) by two-way deterministic automata (2DFAs) was raised in 1978 and, despite many attempts, it is still open. Subsequently, the problem was attacked by restricting the power of 2DFAs (e.g., using a restricted input head movement) to the degree for which it was already possible to derive some exponential gaps between the weaker model and the standard 2NFAs. Here we use an opposite approach, increasing the power of 2DFAs to the degree for which it is still possible to obtain a subexponential conversion from the stronger model to the standard 2DFAs. In particular, it turns out that subexponential conversion is possible for two-way automata that make nondeterministic choices only when the input head scans one of the input tape endmarkers. However, there is no restriction on the input head movement. This implies that an exponential gap between 2NFAs and 2DFAs can be obtained only for unrestricted 2NFAs using capabilities beyond the proposed new model. As an additional bonus, conversion into a machine for the complement of the original language is polynomial in this model. The same holds for making such machines self-verifying, halting, or unambiguous. Finally, any superpolynomial lower bound for the simulation of such machines by standard 2DFAs would imply LNL. In the same way, the alternating version of these machines is related to L =? NL =? P, the classical computational complexity problems.Comment: 23 page

Development of an MSC language and compiler, volume 1

Higher order programming language and compiler for advanced computer software system to be used with manned space flights between 1972 and 198

The jsonlite Package: A Practical and Consistent Mapping Between JSON Data and R Objects

A naive realization of JSON data in R maps JSON arrays to an unnamed list, and JSON objects to a named list. However, in practice a list is an awkward, inefficient type to store and manipulate data. Most statistical applications work with (homogeneous) vectors, matrices or data frames. Therefore JSON packages in R typically define certain special cases of JSON structures which map to simpler R types. Currently there exist no formal guidelines, or even consensus between implementations on how R data should be represented in JSON. Furthermore, upon closer inspection, even the most basic data structures in R actually do not perfectly map to their JSON counterparts and leave some ambiguity for edge cases. These problems have resulted in different behavior between implementations and can lead to unexpected output. This paper explicitly describes a mapping between R classes and JSON data, highlights potential problems, and proposes conventions that generalize the mapping to cover all common structures. We emphasize the importance of type consistency when using JSON to exchange dynamic data, and illustrate using examples and anecdotes. The jsonlite R package is used throughout the paper as a reference implementation