Describe a language accepted by a pushdown automata.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around describing a language accepted by a pushdown automaton, focusing on the transitions and stack operations involved. Participants explore the structure of the language and its representation in formal notation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the operation of the pushdown automaton, noting that an 'A' pushes onto the stack while in the initial state and that 'B's pop from the stack, transitioning between states.
  • Another participant agrees with the initial description and clarifies that only 'a' will be accepted initially, followed by 'b', leading to an empty stack in a final state.
  • Some participants suggest that the language might be represented as ${a^m b^{2m} ∈ {a, b}∗| m ≥ 0}$, indicating a need for a different representation for the language being discussed.
  • One participant proposes that the language could simply be $\{ab\}$, based on the acceptance conditions described.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct representation of the language, with no consensus reached on a single formal description. Multiple competing interpretations of the language's structure are present.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the assumptions regarding the stack operations and the conditions under which different strings are accepted. The discussion reflects uncertainty about the precise formal representation of the language.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in formal language theory, automata theory, or those studying pushdown automata may find this discussion relevant.

JamesBwoii
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View attachment 3640

That's the question. I've had a go at drawing a diagram to help me explain it.

View attachment 3641

My understand is that from the start state, an A pushes an A to the stack and stays in the initial state s. Getting a B whilst in state s pops an A from the stack and moves to final state f. Getting a B whilst in state s also pops an A from the stack and remains in state f. And getting an A in the final state whilst A is on the stack remains pops an A from the stack.

How do I describe this language?

I initially thought it might be:

${a^n b^n ∈ {a, b}∗| n ≥ 0}$

but I'm pretty sure that's wrong now.
 

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JaAnTr said:
View attachment 3640

That's the question. I've had a go at drawing a diagram to help me explain it.

View attachment 3641

My understand is that from the start state, an A pushes an A to the stack and stays in the initial state s. Getting a B whilst in state s pops an A from the stack and moves to final state f. Getting a B whilst in state s also pops an A from the stack and remains in state f. And getting an A in the final state whilst A is on the stack remains pops an A from the stack.

How do I describe this language?

I initially thought it might be:

${a^n b^n ∈ {a, b}∗| n ≥ 0}$

but I'm pretty sure that's wrong now.

Hi JaAnTr,

Your drawing looks good to me!

Initially the stack is empty.
That means only $a$ will be accepted, which will also push $a$ on the stack.
After that $a$ will not be accepted any more, since the top of the stack holds $a$.

So we can only continue with $b$, which will pop $a$ from the stack, leaving the stack empty.

From there there is no valid transition any more, since the stack is empty.
Luckily we're in a final state when that happens.
 
How would I go about describing the language?

I think it needs to be in the same form as this $ {a^m {b}^{2m} ∈ {a, b}∗| m ≥ 0}$ but obviously it will be a different language.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
JaAnTr said:
How would I go about describing the language?

I think it needs to be in the same form as this $ {a^m {b}^{2m} ∈ {a, b}∗| m ≥ 0}$ but obviously it will be a different language.

Thanks!

At the start we can only accept $a$, and after that only $b$, and then nothing anymore.
So I believe that the language is $\{ab\}$.
 
Oh ok thanks, that makes sense. :D
 

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