Customer Reviews

An Introduction to Formal Language and Automata

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am using this textbook for my Introduction to the Theory of Computation course this fall, and am very impressed with organization of the material and clarity of the explanations. Where other textbooks such as Sipser might spend one chapter, Linz expands the narrative to three or four, with clear steps of how all the pieces of automata theory and formal languages mesh. If you're interested in complexity theory, this text briefly covers P vs NP, but it is not the main focus. If you are interested in a text to prepare students for a course in the theory of programming languages, this is an excellent choice.

This book is not to bad. The only problem I had is that the answers to question are not in your typical textbook fashion. The answers aren't based on odd problems but are haphazardly appear to be selected.

This is one of the worst text books that I have used. It gives large amounts of problems to solve, but provides few examples that adequately help the user to solve those problems. It makes references, in examples, to exercises that it assumes you have completed. It doesn't provide many answers to these exercises, either. I would estimate about 10%, and the exercises referred to by the text are usually not part of this 10%.
The book does not go into great detail in illustrating a point. I suppose it would be a good reference for someone who already understands the subject matter. For new students, this book is definitely not recommended.

Using the 3rd ed. instead of the 4th ed. specified in Computer Language Theory syllabus. Instructor said it would be acceptable (he is using the 2nd or 3rd ed.). There is some variation in the exercise numbers, but those can be resolved with quick comparisons with someone with the latest edition.

Overall nice diagrams & explanations. I'm finding the text & examples to be solid. Nice to have solutions to selected exercises included as well.

Right off, the main problem with this book is its formal nature. Compared to lots of other Computer Science books that often act as a sort of 'friendly guide', this book does not. It can be very difficult and tedious to read, especially for 1st-2nd year students. The proofs provided can be hard to follow, the concepts made overly complex and the end of chapter questions are not well answered and leave the reader asking more questions than they originally had.


However, all that being said, some chapters are easier to understand than others and with the help of lecturers and other college/university staff everything can eventually be understood.

If you're reading this because this book is required reading, good luck to you. You will need it.

This book is very well written. Presents the concepts with ease. Reads like a story book.

Makes the student enjoy the material. This was my text book during college.

This was undoubtedly a great buy!! The item came fast and in excellent conditions just as promised. I love Amazon!

The book was sent wrapped in plastic and brand new as advertised. Will order from this seller again with no reservations.

Thank you!

I was sold a perfectly brand new book for peanuts. I highly recommend this seller.

The book is totally new and the shipment is good. I like it. Thanks for the sender.