A visual representation of a Turing machine’s behavior uses circles for states and directed arrows for transitions between them. These arrows are labeled with the input symbol read, the symbol written, and the direction of head movement (left, right, or stationary). For example, a transition labeled “1, 0, R” signifies reading a ‘1’, writing a ‘0’, and moving the read/write head one step to the right. This graphical model effectively captures the logic and operation of a theoretical computing device.
This method of visualization provides a powerful tool for understanding, designing, and analyzing algorithms. It allows complex computational processes to be broken down into discrete, manageable steps. Developed by Alan Turing in the 1930s, this conceptual model laid the foundation for modern computer science, demonstrating the theoretical limits of computation and providing a framework for understanding how algorithms function.
