Is it possible to put a topology on Turing-recognizable languages to express density among all the languages?
$begingroup$
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.
general-topology computer-science computability turing-machines
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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.
general-topology computer-science computability turing-machines
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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.
general-topology computer-science computability turing-machines
$endgroup$
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
general-topology computer-science computability turing-machines
asked Jan 12 at 0:01
BermudesBermudes
18713
18713
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add a comment |
2 Answers
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oldest
votes
$begingroup$
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.)
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
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
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
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
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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$begingroup$
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.)
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
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
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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.)
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
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
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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.)
$endgroup$
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.)
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
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
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
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
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
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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.
$endgroup$
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.
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
add a comment |
$begingroup$
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
add a comment |
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