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caleb531 / automata

A Python library for simulating finite automata, pushdown automata, and Turing machines
https://caleb531.github.io/automata/
MIT License
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Using epsilon vs lambda #151

Closed eliotwrobson closed 1 year ago

eliotwrobson commented 1 year ago

What is the difference between 𝛌 or ε in an Automaton Theory context? I've seen both used, sometimes seemingly interchangeably, to represent empty string.

_Originally posted by @caleb531 in https://github.com/caleb531/automata/pull/129#discussion_r1198468618_

eliotwrobson commented 1 year ago

@caleb531 looking over this, I think there are a few places where the current library code is inconsistent with this theory (i.e. we use the term "lambda transition" instead of "epsilon transition"), but I'm not sure it's worth changing the API. In all instances, I think people know what is meant.

@EduardoGoulart1 @khoda81 do either of you have thoughts on this?

khoda81 commented 1 year ago

@eliotwrobson I agree, in some references, they are used interchangeably and it is clear enough what it means...

caleb531 commented 1 year ago

@eliotwrobson I also agree. I think as long as people are able to easily intuit what we mean (which seems to be the case)p, that's the most important thing.

eliotwrobson commented 1 year ago

@caleb531 Agreed. Going to go ahead and close this. If we get feedback that this is confusing for people we can revisit then.