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Applications of Automata in Software Development

The document discusses the applications of automata in software development, highlighting types such as Finite Automata, Pushdown Automata, and Turing Machines. It explores practical uses in areas like compiler design, user interface design, game development, and text processing, emphasizing the benefits of predictability and reliability. The conclusion underscores the importance of automata theory in enhancing software design and implementation.

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Mark lauren Duay
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141 views13 pages

Applications of Automata in Software Development

The document discusses the applications of automata in software development, highlighting types such as Finite Automata, Pushdown Automata, and Turing Machines. It explores practical uses in areas like compiler design, user interface design, game development, and text processing, emphasizing the benefits of predictability and reliability. The conclusion underscores the importance of automata theory in enhancing software design and implementation.

Uploaded by

Mark lauren Duay
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Applications of

Automata in
Software
Development
Introduction
Definition: Automata are abstract computational models
used to simulate sequential logic and behavior. They
form the theoretical foundation for various software
systems and tools.
Types of Automata:
1. Finite Automata (FA): Used for simple pattern
recognition.
2. Pushdown Automata (PDA): Handles context-free
languages, which is useful in parsing.
3. Turing Machines (TM): Capable of simulating any
algorithm.

Objective: Explore real-world applications of automata


in software development.
Finite State Machines (FSMs) in
Software
Finite State Machines are a practical
application of automata.

Used to model behavior in systems with


a finite number of states.

Easy to implement and visualize.


Finite Automata in Compiler
Design
Lexical Analysis: Finite automata tokenize
source code in compilers.
FSMs are used to tokenize source code.
Detect keywords, identifiers, symbols, etc.
Example: DFA to identify variable names.
Application 2 - User Interface
Design
GUI behavior is modeled using state machines.
Example: Button States (Normal, Hovered,
Clicked, Disabled), a Modal Dialog Box (like a
pop-up window).
Application 3 - Game Development
Character behavior and game state transitions.

Example: Pac-Man Ghosts:


States:
Wandering
Chasing Pac-Man
Fleeing after Pac-Man eats
a power pellet
Returning to base to
regenerate
Application 5 - Text Processing

Pattern matching, regex engines use


automata.
DFA and NFA for searching and
replacing text.
Real-World Example – Turnstile
States: Locked, Unlocked
Inputs: Coin, Push
Transitions:
Insert coin → Unlocked
Push → Locked
Used in embedded systems or game logic.
Real-World Example: Vending
Machine Software
Implements a finite state machine.
States: Waiting for input, item
selected, money inserted, dispense
item.
DFAs in Probability - Markov
Chains
Markov Chains: DFAs with probabilistic
transitions between states.
Applications: Used in modeling stochastic
processes in various fields, including Google's
PageRank algorithm.​
Benefits of Using Automata in Software

Improves predictability and reliability.


Simplifies debugging and validation.
Enhances modular design.

Tools & Languages Supporting FSMs


Statecharts, UML state diagrams
Libraries: XState (JavaScript), Boost MSM (C++), SCXML
Conclusion
Automata theory bridges theoretical CS and
practical software.
FSMs are widely used in diverse software
domains.
Mastery of automata enhances software design
and implementation.
Thank
You

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