Module #1: Regular Expressions and Languages

Objectives

1. Apply concepts from set theory
   
2. Define the terms: alphabet, string, and language
   
3. Define a regular expression
   

Topics

1. Strings
   
2. Alphabets
   
3. Regular Sets

Applications and Importance

1. Strings

1. text editing
   
2. Data Base Abstractions
   
3. Compilers (a program is a string)
   

1. Tokens in programming languages
   
2. Data Bases
   
3. Text Searching and editing
   
4. used in languages like Perl, PHP etc.
   

Background Material

0. Text

Sudkamp: Sections 2.1 - 2.4

1. Wikepedia:

1. Strings etc.
   
2. Regular Set (Language)
   

2. Busch, Shiri & Grahne: Basic Definitions
3. Nelson Padua-Perez & Bill Pugh: Regular Expressions
4. Lemone: Lex Examples [PDF] from compilers
5. robelle: Grep examples

Old Homeworks

Old Homework [PDF]
Old Homework Solutions [PPT] [DOC] [PDF]

Other old homeworks