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From: dbruck@ciss.Dayton.NCR.COM (Don Bruck@ciss.Dayton.NCR.COM)
Newsgroups: comp.ai
Subject: Turing Machines
Summary: Question: How is it done NOW?
Keywords: Tape, Linked List
Message-ID: <862@ciss.Dayton.NCR.COM>
Date: 2 Aug 89 13:34:38 GMT
Reply-To: dbruck@ciss.UUCP (Don Bruck@ciss.Dayton.NCR.COM)
Organization: NCR Corp. Network Application Services
Lines: 60

Please excuse my rudimentary knowledge of AI. I have just begun investigating
this area and would like to use this group to help me clear up areas that I
do not understand.

I am currently reading _Introduction to Artificial Intelligence_ by Philip C.
Jackson Jr. He refers to Turing machines that read tape. This seems to be a
bit dated. Is tape meant only as an easily understood metaphor?

My inclination is that, if I were to build a Turing machine (in software), I
would use linked lists, as a substitute for the tape in the book, to maintain
the information . Since linked lists can be interwoven there would be no
problem with n-dimensional matrices from a conceptual viewpoint. 

Declare
  dimension1 as DYNAMIC
    value as CHARACTER
    dim1 as POINTER to dimension1 (* Next member of list *)
    dim2 as POINTER to dimension2 (* Adjacent member of dimension2 *)
    dim3 as POINTER to dimension3 (* Adjacent member of dimension3 *)
	.
	.
	.
    dimN as POINTER to dimensionN (* Adjacent member of dimensionN *)
(I realize that this is not an accepted syntax and am only trying to convey
 my ideas.)

I would like your thoughts on using different languages for development,
i.e. c++, LISP, PROLOG, etc. I am basicly interested in rule-based systems,
their incorporation into a corporate MIS environment, and the use of rules
to control a database server. I have access to 80286 and 80386 DOS machines.

Due to family considerations I cannot begin formal study at any of the nearby
universities at this time, although I plan to solidify my knowledge through
formal means when the opportunity returns. I would therefore appreciate some
opinions as to the incorporation of problem solving into my readings. Should
I get the strong theoretical base or should I reinforce the theory with
problem solving programs at an early time in my study. Do you feel that it is
important that I get into writing AI programs to deepen my understanding?
How soon? I remember that the CS people I went to school with did not start
writing programs until their sophomore years, IS people began writing in
Pascal about two quarters sooner.

I would also appreciate any recommendations of readings that can help me
through the introductory stage.

I would appreciate anyone's thoughts on the Turing questions and apologize for
going over AI101 material. The reading/development question is aimed mainly at
educators but I would appreciate the experiences and feelings of anyone.

Thanks in advance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don Bruck					Don Bruck
NCR Corp.					4184 Bellemeade Dr.
Corporate Data Planning and Administration	Bellbrook OH 45305
PCD 6						(513) 848-4420
1700 S. Patterson Blvd.
Dayton OH 45479
(513) 445-7603
My opinions and interests are my own.