Is it possible to put a topology on Turing-recognizable languages to express density among all the languages?












7












$begingroup$


In a Calculability and complexity course I had at univeristy, we proved that there exist languages that are not Turing-recognizable basiclly using Cantor's diagonal argument (the set of all languages is uncountable and the set of Turing-recognizable languages is countable). This immediately brought the analogy with $mathbb Q$ which is countable inside $mathbb R$ which is not. But we have a topology on $mathbb R$ (and thus on $mathbb Q$) which allows us to show that $mathbb Q$ is a dense subset of $mathbb R$ (also it's a metric space).



A question then popped in my head: is there any way to put a topology onto the set of languages that would lead to a smilar result, i.e. density of the Turing-recognizable lanuages among all the languages?



Note that I have no idea if this even makes sense: I'm not really into theoretical computing, and I have no idea if the notion of "closeness" between languages makes any sense. This is just a question I've hold for too long now and I had to ask if somebody already answered this or if this is just a pointless question.










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$endgroup$

















    7












    $begingroup$


    In a Calculability and complexity course I had at univeristy, we proved that there exist languages that are not Turing-recognizable basiclly using Cantor's diagonal argument (the set of all languages is uncountable and the set of Turing-recognizable languages is countable). This immediately brought the analogy with $mathbb Q$ which is countable inside $mathbb R$ which is not. But we have a topology on $mathbb R$ (and thus on $mathbb Q$) which allows us to show that $mathbb Q$ is a dense subset of $mathbb R$ (also it's a metric space).



    A question then popped in my head: is there any way to put a topology onto the set of languages that would lead to a smilar result, i.e. density of the Turing-recognizable lanuages among all the languages?



    Note that I have no idea if this even makes sense: I'm not really into theoretical computing, and I have no idea if the notion of "closeness" between languages makes any sense. This is just a question I've hold for too long now and I had to ask if somebody already answered this or if this is just a pointless question.










    share|cite|improve this question









    $endgroup$















      7












      7








      7





      $begingroup$


      In a Calculability and complexity course I had at univeristy, we proved that there exist languages that are not Turing-recognizable basiclly using Cantor's diagonal argument (the set of all languages is uncountable and the set of Turing-recognizable languages is countable). This immediately brought the analogy with $mathbb Q$ which is countable inside $mathbb R$ which is not. But we have a topology on $mathbb R$ (and thus on $mathbb Q$) which allows us to show that $mathbb Q$ is a dense subset of $mathbb R$ (also it's a metric space).



      A question then popped in my head: is there any way to put a topology onto the set of languages that would lead to a smilar result, i.e. density of the Turing-recognizable lanuages among all the languages?



      Note that I have no idea if this even makes sense: I'm not really into theoretical computing, and I have no idea if the notion of "closeness" between languages makes any sense. This is just a question I've hold for too long now and I had to ask if somebody already answered this or if this is just a pointless question.










      share|cite|improve this question









      $endgroup$




      In a Calculability and complexity course I had at univeristy, we proved that there exist languages that are not Turing-recognizable basiclly using Cantor's diagonal argument (the set of all languages is uncountable and the set of Turing-recognizable languages is countable). This immediately brought the analogy with $mathbb Q$ which is countable inside $mathbb R$ which is not. But we have a topology on $mathbb R$ (and thus on $mathbb Q$) which allows us to show that $mathbb Q$ is a dense subset of $mathbb R$ (also it's a metric space).



      A question then popped in my head: is there any way to put a topology onto the set of languages that would lead to a smilar result, i.e. density of the Turing-recognizable lanuages among all the languages?



      Note that I have no idea if this even makes sense: I'm not really into theoretical computing, and I have no idea if the notion of "closeness" between languages makes any sense. This is just a question I've hold for too long now and I had to ask if somebody already answered this or if this is just a pointless question.







      general-topology computer-science computability turing-machines






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      asked Jan 12 at 0:01









      BermudesBermudes

      18713




      18713






















          2 Answers
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          active

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          4












          $begingroup$

          From a slightly different perspective: for theoretical purposes it's often better to work with computable and uncomputable sets rather than languages; indeed, if your language is over a finite alphabet $A$, then there's the classic natural correspondance between $A^*$ and $mathbb{N}$ given by 'base-$|A|$ representation', and it shouldn't be hard to convince yourself that a language $mathcal{L}subseteqmathcal{P}(A^*)$ is Turing recognizable iff the set $S_Lsubseteqmathbb{N}$ given by the correspondence is computable.



          This lets us use a standard topology on subsets of $mathbb{N}$; for instance, we can use a metric like $d(A,B)=2^{-n}$, where $n$ is the smallest element of $ADelta B$. Under this topology, the computable sets are indeed 'dense' in the set of all subsets of $mathbb{N}$ — in fact, the finite sets (all of which are computable) are already dense. (This is exactly analagous to the dyadic rationals being dense in the set of reals, although the 'natural' mapping $Ssubseteqmathbb{N}mapsto sum_{sin S} 2^{-s}$ to map the subsets of the naturals into $[0,1]$ doesn't quite work since it's not 1-to-1.)






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            Oh that is clever. However, I guess the topology would change depending on the mapping $A to [1, |A|] cap mathbb N$ though this won't change the result of density since the finite sets are dense. I also guess that changing this initial mapping will lead to a homeomorphic topology.
            $endgroup$
            – Bermudes
            Jan 12 at 10:43





















          3












          $begingroup$

          I don’t know if this can be done as you want, but some thoughts: a language over some fixed alphabet $Sigma$, is just a set of (finite length) strings, so a member of $mathscr{P}(Sigma^ast)$. $Sigma^ast$ is essentially a subset of a product $Sigma^omega$ so can be given a somewhat natural topology (if the finite set $Sigma$ gets the discrete topology; we get a subset of a Cantor set, topologically).



          The power set of $Sigma^ast$ can be given a product topology again, using the characteristic function identification. It is well-known that this set indeed has a countable dense subset (Hewitt-Marzcewksi-Pondizcery theorem) so I think there is good hope we can find a Turing-recognisable family of languages that is dense in this topology as described. No time to look into further details as of yet.. Looks like a nice exercise for someone, though.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            There isn't a way I want to do it: this is just a question I had in my head for some reason, but I won't make any use of it besides feeling relieved and smarter at the same time. ;) It looks very nice though, especially since the Cantor set topology appears. I'll take a look at the topology we end up with on $mathcal P(Sigma^*)$ but I have never heard of the characteristic function identification.
            $endgroup$
            – Bermudes
            Jan 12 at 10:50






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @Bermudes A subset $A$ of $X$ can be identified with the function $chi_A: X to {0,1}$ that sends $xin A$ to $1$ and all other $x$ to $0$.
            $endgroup$
            – Henno Brandsma
            Jan 12 at 12:12











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          4












          $begingroup$

          From a slightly different perspective: for theoretical purposes it's often better to work with computable and uncomputable sets rather than languages; indeed, if your language is over a finite alphabet $A$, then there's the classic natural correspondance between $A^*$ and $mathbb{N}$ given by 'base-$|A|$ representation', and it shouldn't be hard to convince yourself that a language $mathcal{L}subseteqmathcal{P}(A^*)$ is Turing recognizable iff the set $S_Lsubseteqmathbb{N}$ given by the correspondence is computable.



          This lets us use a standard topology on subsets of $mathbb{N}$; for instance, we can use a metric like $d(A,B)=2^{-n}$, where $n$ is the smallest element of $ADelta B$. Under this topology, the computable sets are indeed 'dense' in the set of all subsets of $mathbb{N}$ — in fact, the finite sets (all of which are computable) are already dense. (This is exactly analagous to the dyadic rationals being dense in the set of reals, although the 'natural' mapping $Ssubseteqmathbb{N}mapsto sum_{sin S} 2^{-s}$ to map the subsets of the naturals into $[0,1]$ doesn't quite work since it's not 1-to-1.)






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            Oh that is clever. However, I guess the topology would change depending on the mapping $A to [1, |A|] cap mathbb N$ though this won't change the result of density since the finite sets are dense. I also guess that changing this initial mapping will lead to a homeomorphic topology.
            $endgroup$
            – Bermudes
            Jan 12 at 10:43


















          4












          $begingroup$

          From a slightly different perspective: for theoretical purposes it's often better to work with computable and uncomputable sets rather than languages; indeed, if your language is over a finite alphabet $A$, then there's the classic natural correspondance between $A^*$ and $mathbb{N}$ given by 'base-$|A|$ representation', and it shouldn't be hard to convince yourself that a language $mathcal{L}subseteqmathcal{P}(A^*)$ is Turing recognizable iff the set $S_Lsubseteqmathbb{N}$ given by the correspondence is computable.



          This lets us use a standard topology on subsets of $mathbb{N}$; for instance, we can use a metric like $d(A,B)=2^{-n}$, where $n$ is the smallest element of $ADelta B$. Under this topology, the computable sets are indeed 'dense' in the set of all subsets of $mathbb{N}$ — in fact, the finite sets (all of which are computable) are already dense. (This is exactly analagous to the dyadic rationals being dense in the set of reals, although the 'natural' mapping $Ssubseteqmathbb{N}mapsto sum_{sin S} 2^{-s}$ to map the subsets of the naturals into $[0,1]$ doesn't quite work since it's not 1-to-1.)






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            Oh that is clever. However, I guess the topology would change depending on the mapping $A to [1, |A|] cap mathbb N$ though this won't change the result of density since the finite sets are dense. I also guess that changing this initial mapping will lead to a homeomorphic topology.
            $endgroup$
            – Bermudes
            Jan 12 at 10:43
















          4












          4








          4





          $begingroup$

          From a slightly different perspective: for theoretical purposes it's often better to work with computable and uncomputable sets rather than languages; indeed, if your language is over a finite alphabet $A$, then there's the classic natural correspondance between $A^*$ and $mathbb{N}$ given by 'base-$|A|$ representation', and it shouldn't be hard to convince yourself that a language $mathcal{L}subseteqmathcal{P}(A^*)$ is Turing recognizable iff the set $S_Lsubseteqmathbb{N}$ given by the correspondence is computable.



          This lets us use a standard topology on subsets of $mathbb{N}$; for instance, we can use a metric like $d(A,B)=2^{-n}$, where $n$ is the smallest element of $ADelta B$. Under this topology, the computable sets are indeed 'dense' in the set of all subsets of $mathbb{N}$ — in fact, the finite sets (all of which are computable) are already dense. (This is exactly analagous to the dyadic rationals being dense in the set of reals, although the 'natural' mapping $Ssubseteqmathbb{N}mapsto sum_{sin S} 2^{-s}$ to map the subsets of the naturals into $[0,1]$ doesn't quite work since it's not 1-to-1.)






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$



          From a slightly different perspective: for theoretical purposes it's often better to work with computable and uncomputable sets rather than languages; indeed, if your language is over a finite alphabet $A$, then there's the classic natural correspondance between $A^*$ and $mathbb{N}$ given by 'base-$|A|$ representation', and it shouldn't be hard to convince yourself that a language $mathcal{L}subseteqmathcal{P}(A^*)$ is Turing recognizable iff the set $S_Lsubseteqmathbb{N}$ given by the correspondence is computable.



          This lets us use a standard topology on subsets of $mathbb{N}$; for instance, we can use a metric like $d(A,B)=2^{-n}$, where $n$ is the smallest element of $ADelta B$. Under this topology, the computable sets are indeed 'dense' in the set of all subsets of $mathbb{N}$ — in fact, the finite sets (all of which are computable) are already dense. (This is exactly analagous to the dyadic rationals being dense in the set of reals, although the 'natural' mapping $Ssubseteqmathbb{N}mapsto sum_{sin S} 2^{-s}$ to map the subsets of the naturals into $[0,1]$ doesn't quite work since it's not 1-to-1.)







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered Jan 12 at 2:23









          Steven StadnickiSteven Stadnicki

          41.1k868122




          41.1k868122












          • $begingroup$
            Oh that is clever. However, I guess the topology would change depending on the mapping $A to [1, |A|] cap mathbb N$ though this won't change the result of density since the finite sets are dense. I also guess that changing this initial mapping will lead to a homeomorphic topology.
            $endgroup$
            – Bermudes
            Jan 12 at 10:43




















          • $begingroup$
            Oh that is clever. However, I guess the topology would change depending on the mapping $A to [1, |A|] cap mathbb N$ though this won't change the result of density since the finite sets are dense. I also guess that changing this initial mapping will lead to a homeomorphic topology.
            $endgroup$
            – Bermudes
            Jan 12 at 10:43


















          $begingroup$
          Oh that is clever. However, I guess the topology would change depending on the mapping $A to [1, |A|] cap mathbb N$ though this won't change the result of density since the finite sets are dense. I also guess that changing this initial mapping will lead to a homeomorphic topology.
          $endgroup$
          – Bermudes
          Jan 12 at 10:43






          $begingroup$
          Oh that is clever. However, I guess the topology would change depending on the mapping $A to [1, |A|] cap mathbb N$ though this won't change the result of density since the finite sets are dense. I also guess that changing this initial mapping will lead to a homeomorphic topology.
          $endgroup$
          – Bermudes
          Jan 12 at 10:43













          3












          $begingroup$

          I don’t know if this can be done as you want, but some thoughts: a language over some fixed alphabet $Sigma$, is just a set of (finite length) strings, so a member of $mathscr{P}(Sigma^ast)$. $Sigma^ast$ is essentially a subset of a product $Sigma^omega$ so can be given a somewhat natural topology (if the finite set $Sigma$ gets the discrete topology; we get a subset of a Cantor set, topologically).



          The power set of $Sigma^ast$ can be given a product topology again, using the characteristic function identification. It is well-known that this set indeed has a countable dense subset (Hewitt-Marzcewksi-Pondizcery theorem) so I think there is good hope we can find a Turing-recognisable family of languages that is dense in this topology as described. No time to look into further details as of yet.. Looks like a nice exercise for someone, though.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            There isn't a way I want to do it: this is just a question I had in my head for some reason, but I won't make any use of it besides feeling relieved and smarter at the same time. ;) It looks very nice though, especially since the Cantor set topology appears. I'll take a look at the topology we end up with on $mathcal P(Sigma^*)$ but I have never heard of the characteristic function identification.
            $endgroup$
            – Bermudes
            Jan 12 at 10:50






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @Bermudes A subset $A$ of $X$ can be identified with the function $chi_A: X to {0,1}$ that sends $xin A$ to $1$ and all other $x$ to $0$.
            $endgroup$
            – Henno Brandsma
            Jan 12 at 12:12
















          3












          $begingroup$

          I don’t know if this can be done as you want, but some thoughts: a language over some fixed alphabet $Sigma$, is just a set of (finite length) strings, so a member of $mathscr{P}(Sigma^ast)$. $Sigma^ast$ is essentially a subset of a product $Sigma^omega$ so can be given a somewhat natural topology (if the finite set $Sigma$ gets the discrete topology; we get a subset of a Cantor set, topologically).



          The power set of $Sigma^ast$ can be given a product topology again, using the characteristic function identification. It is well-known that this set indeed has a countable dense subset (Hewitt-Marzcewksi-Pondizcery theorem) so I think there is good hope we can find a Turing-recognisable family of languages that is dense in this topology as described. No time to look into further details as of yet.. Looks like a nice exercise for someone, though.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            There isn't a way I want to do it: this is just a question I had in my head for some reason, but I won't make any use of it besides feeling relieved and smarter at the same time. ;) It looks very nice though, especially since the Cantor set topology appears. I'll take a look at the topology we end up with on $mathcal P(Sigma^*)$ but I have never heard of the characteristic function identification.
            $endgroup$
            – Bermudes
            Jan 12 at 10:50






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @Bermudes A subset $A$ of $X$ can be identified with the function $chi_A: X to {0,1}$ that sends $xin A$ to $1$ and all other $x$ to $0$.
            $endgroup$
            – Henno Brandsma
            Jan 12 at 12:12














          3












          3








          3





          $begingroup$

          I don’t know if this can be done as you want, but some thoughts: a language over some fixed alphabet $Sigma$, is just a set of (finite length) strings, so a member of $mathscr{P}(Sigma^ast)$. $Sigma^ast$ is essentially a subset of a product $Sigma^omega$ so can be given a somewhat natural topology (if the finite set $Sigma$ gets the discrete topology; we get a subset of a Cantor set, topologically).



          The power set of $Sigma^ast$ can be given a product topology again, using the characteristic function identification. It is well-known that this set indeed has a countable dense subset (Hewitt-Marzcewksi-Pondizcery theorem) so I think there is good hope we can find a Turing-recognisable family of languages that is dense in this topology as described. No time to look into further details as of yet.. Looks like a nice exercise for someone, though.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$



          I don’t know if this can be done as you want, but some thoughts: a language over some fixed alphabet $Sigma$, is just a set of (finite length) strings, so a member of $mathscr{P}(Sigma^ast)$. $Sigma^ast$ is essentially a subset of a product $Sigma^omega$ so can be given a somewhat natural topology (if the finite set $Sigma$ gets the discrete topology; we get a subset of a Cantor set, topologically).



          The power set of $Sigma^ast$ can be given a product topology again, using the characteristic function identification. It is well-known that this set indeed has a countable dense subset (Hewitt-Marzcewksi-Pondizcery theorem) so I think there is good hope we can find a Turing-recognisable family of languages that is dense in this topology as described. No time to look into further details as of yet.. Looks like a nice exercise for someone, though.







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered Jan 12 at 1:28









          Henno BrandsmaHenno Brandsma

          109k347114




          109k347114












          • $begingroup$
            There isn't a way I want to do it: this is just a question I had in my head for some reason, but I won't make any use of it besides feeling relieved and smarter at the same time. ;) It looks very nice though, especially since the Cantor set topology appears. I'll take a look at the topology we end up with on $mathcal P(Sigma^*)$ but I have never heard of the characteristic function identification.
            $endgroup$
            – Bermudes
            Jan 12 at 10:50






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @Bermudes A subset $A$ of $X$ can be identified with the function $chi_A: X to {0,1}$ that sends $xin A$ to $1$ and all other $x$ to $0$.
            $endgroup$
            – Henno Brandsma
            Jan 12 at 12:12


















          • $begingroup$
            There isn't a way I want to do it: this is just a question I had in my head for some reason, but I won't make any use of it besides feeling relieved and smarter at the same time. ;) It looks very nice though, especially since the Cantor set topology appears. I'll take a look at the topology we end up with on $mathcal P(Sigma^*)$ but I have never heard of the characteristic function identification.
            $endgroup$
            – Bermudes
            Jan 12 at 10:50






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @Bermudes A subset $A$ of $X$ can be identified with the function $chi_A: X to {0,1}$ that sends $xin A$ to $1$ and all other $x$ to $0$.
            $endgroup$
            – Henno Brandsma
            Jan 12 at 12:12
















          $begingroup$
          There isn't a way I want to do it: this is just a question I had in my head for some reason, but I won't make any use of it besides feeling relieved and smarter at the same time. ;) It looks very nice though, especially since the Cantor set topology appears. I'll take a look at the topology we end up with on $mathcal P(Sigma^*)$ but I have never heard of the characteristic function identification.
          $endgroup$
          – Bermudes
          Jan 12 at 10:50




          $begingroup$
          There isn't a way I want to do it: this is just a question I had in my head for some reason, but I won't make any use of it besides feeling relieved and smarter at the same time. ;) It looks very nice though, especially since the Cantor set topology appears. I'll take a look at the topology we end up with on $mathcal P(Sigma^*)$ but I have never heard of the characteristic function identification.
          $endgroup$
          – Bermudes
          Jan 12 at 10:50




          1




          1




          $begingroup$
          @Bermudes A subset $A$ of $X$ can be identified with the function $chi_A: X to {0,1}$ that sends $xin A$ to $1$ and all other $x$ to $0$.
          $endgroup$
          – Henno Brandsma
          Jan 12 at 12:12




          $begingroup$
          @Bermudes A subset $A$ of $X$ can be identified with the function $chi_A: X to {0,1}$ that sends $xin A$ to $1$ and all other $x$ to $0$.
          $endgroup$
          – Henno Brandsma
          Jan 12 at 12:12


















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