Pushdown Automata

I think I have pushed down my desire to understand pushdown automata. Has this ever happened to you?

I have found the study of the theory of formal languages and automata to be interesting. It seems to drag a little when trying to understand the pumping lemma, which I fondly call the lemma dilemma. Honestly, I am tiring of this course and hope to be done with it soon. There has to be a better way to teach this material. If I had the time I would attempt to put the information in a more comprehensive format but as things are I need to continue on in my studies for now.

If anyone whom chances by knows of a cool way to help people understand the pumping lemma please give me a comment. It would be appreciated and probably would help me understand them better. In particular, I have been studying the pumping lemma for regular and context free languages.

Until Then

Brief Violation

~ by Rodney Crater ~

Wearily I walked into my den dropping my bulging briefcase to the floor. I was so tired of preparing for this court case. The mirror on the wall reflected the dark circles under my eyes. If only tomorrow were here and it was finally over, I would be free again. I opened the window hoping the fresh air would invigorate me and sat drinking coffee, contemplating my assignment.

Somewhere from the other side of the shear gossamer curtains that now blew softly to and fro, the warm night breeze beckoned to me, filling the room with the sweet smell of magnolias. I turned to see the moon smiling through the window, calling, enticing me to stray outside into the beautiful night of milky stars.

I stared at the briefcase and knew I could not abandon my duty, too many people were depending on me. As I opened the case a gentle wind blew in swirling through the papers, mixing them amongst each other as if to say 'come away from your dreaded chore'. Suddenly a nightingale began singing a soft melody, inviting me to listen and forget the frustration before me.

Seduced beyond my will, I stepped out onto my garden patio and lay back in my lounge chair staring into the vastness above. A world of wonder stretched above as I watched the twinkling heavens. The delicate smell of fresh blooms cradled my body in a hypnotic trance carrying me up to join the Man-in the-moon.

Trash Can Treasure

~ by Rodney Crater ~

Joe bent over and rummaged through a mire of stained paper, putrid cans and bottles. The cool crisp air captured his breath as he exhaled, the vapor forming small puffs that lingered in front of him. He stood for a moment and with gloved hands that sprouted bare fingers from well worn holes, he tugged the frayed collar of his fading jungle camouflage jacket tighter around his neck. Reaching in again, he shuffled more paper aside and hastily pulled a crumpled paper sack from the dumpster. Joe opened it eagerly and found the treasure he desired most. A half eaten burger and at least ten french fries, lay frozen in the bottom of the bag.

Eagerly, he pulled the sandwich from the bag. His empty stomach growled, anticipating the treasure. As he placed the bounty to his lips a slight movement caught his eye to the side of the trash bin. Lottie lay there, legs pulled tightly against herself, half covered in newspaper and cardboard. She was huddling, her arms wrapped around her knees, as she tried to keep out the cold that penetrated her soiled knit hat and torn cotton coat. She looked at him and mustered what strength she had left to smile at an old friend. Joe, despite his own stomach aching, now felt his heart ache even more knowing she was far worse off than he. Slowly he crouched beside her and brushed back the matted hair from her face. She reached up and held his arm softly with gnarled stiff fingers as he broke the food into small pieces, placing each one in her toothless mouth until the sack was empty.

Until Then