Delftse Foundations of Computation

“Delftse Foundations of Computation” is an illuminating and comprehensive book that explores the theoretical underpinnings of computation, drawing on insights from the field of mathematics. Written by Stefan Hugtenburg, Neil Yorke-Smith, and Conrad D. J. van Oorschot, this seminal work offers a rigorous introduction to the key concepts and methods that underlie the modern theory of computation.

The book takes its name from Delft University of Technology, a leading institution in the Netherlands renowned for its expertise in computer science and mathematics. Drawing on the university’s rich tradition of research and innovation, the authors present a thorough and accessible introduction to the principles of computation, including topics such as automata theory, formal languages, complexity theory, and cryptography.

The book begins with an overview of the basic concepts of computation, including Turing machines and the Church-Turing thesis. From there, the authors delve into the intricacies of automata theory, covering topics such as finite automata, regular languages, and pushdown automata. They also explore formal languages, discussing the Chomsky hierarchy and the use of context-free grammars to describe programming languages.

In addition to these core topics, the book also covers more advanced topics such as complexity theory, which explores the limits of what can be computed efficiently, and cryptography, which uses mathematical concepts to secure information and communication. The authors provide a detailed discussion of public-key cryptography, including RSA and the Diffie-Hellman key exchange, as well as symmetric-key cryptography, including block ciphers and stream ciphers.

Throughout the book, the authors use clear and concise language to explain complex ideas, making the material accessible to both undergraduate and graduate students in computer science, mathematics, and related fields. With its thorough coverage of the foundational concepts of computation, “Delftse Foundations of Computation” is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of modern computing.