You are welcome to the
Theory of Computation. This is the foundation and
perhaps the fundamental, subject in computing. The subject-matter of this
course permeates the entire field of computing. This is because the
roots of the tree, from which the fundamental concept of the principles
and theories underlying all computing instruments and artefact emerge,
are grounded in the subject-matter of this course. Specifically, the topics we shall be discussing in this course shall address the principles and instruments that are
key, or central to the abstraction, formulation, design, implementation and
evaluation of ideal computing devices or systems. These include all range of computing devises from
the very simple to the most complex. In this course, therefore, we will
be examining some fundamental theoretical and practical
explanatory instruments underpinning computing processes and procedures. We shall, first
of all, demonstrate that the purpose of computing is problem-solving. Then we shall be discussing the set of criteria, theories and principles that are key to determining:
- The things that can be computed;
- The extent to which they can be computed;
- The extent to which the things that can be computed can be released though the material agency of machine?