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Automata Module1 Q3 Detailed Answer

The document outlines the differences between DFA (Deterministic Finite Automaton), NFA (Nondeterministic Finite Automaton), and ε-NFA (Epsilon-NFA). It details their definitions, key features, and a comparison table highlighting their transition characteristics, determinism, ε-moves, implementation complexity, and language power. All three types of automata recognize regular languages and are equivalent in their computational capabilities.

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6 views3 pages

Automata Module1 Q3 Detailed Answer

The document outlines the differences between DFA (Deterministic Finite Automaton), NFA (Nondeterministic Finite Automaton), and ε-NFA (Epsilon-NFA). It details their definitions, key features, and a comparison table highlighting their transition characteristics, determinism, ε-moves, implementation complexity, and language power. All three types of automata recognize regular languages and are equivalent in their computational capabilities.

Uploaded by

riyazahmed9110
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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21CS51 - Automata Theory and Compiler Design

Module 1 - Question 3 Detailed Answer

3. Difference Between DFA, NFA, and ε-NFA [Marks: 5]

1. DFA (Deterministic Finite Automaton)

----------------------------------------

A DFA is a 5-tuple: DFA = (Q, Σ, δ, q₀, F)

Where:

- Q = Finite set of states

- Σ = Input alphabet

- δ = Transition function: δ: Q × Σ → Q

- q₀ = Start state

- F = Set of accepting (final) states

Key Features:

- For each state and input symbol, exactly one transition exists.

- No ε-transitions (no transition without input).

- The computation path is unique for any input string.

- Simple to implement.

2. NFA (Nondeterministic Finite Automaton)

------------------------------------------

NFA is a 5-tuple: NFA = (Q, Σ, δ, q₀, F)

Here, δ: Q × Σ → P(Q)

Key Features:
- For a given state and input, can have multiple transitions, or none.

- No ε-transitions allowed.

- Several computation paths may be followed in parallel.

- A string is accepted if at least one path ends in a final state.

- Easier to construct than DFA.

3. ε-NFA (Epsilon-NFA / ε-Transitions NFA)

------------------------------------------

This is an extension of NFA allowing ε-moves.

Transition function: δ: Q × (Σ ∪ {ε}) → P(Q)

Key Features:

- Can move between states without consuming any input (ε-transitions).

- Like NFA, may have multiple transitions per symbol.

- Requires ε-closure computation during processing.

- Used in lexical analysis and automaton construction.

- More flexible but complex to simulate directly.

Comparison Table:

| Feature | DFA | NFA | ε-NFA |

|--------------------|------------------------|-------------------------|----------------------------|

| Transition | One per symbol | Zero or more per symbol| Zero or

more + ε-moves |

| Determinism | Deterministic | Non-deterministic |

Non-deterministic |
| ε-Moves | Not allowed | Not allowed | Allowed

| Implementation | Simple | Moderate complexity | Complex

(ε-closure needed) |

| Language Power | Regular languages | Regular languages |

Regular languages |

Key Point:

All three – DFA, NFA, and ε-NFA – recognize only regular languages and are

equivalent in power.

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