Oracles and advice as measurements

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2008

Authors

Beggs, E (Author) Other; Costa, JF (Author) Other; Loff, B (Author) Other; Tucker, JV (Author) Other

Conference proceedings International

Title: UNCONVENTIONAL COMPUTATION, PROCEEDINGS

Pages: 33-+

7th International Conference on Unconventional Computation/International Workshop on Computing with Biomolecules

Vienna, AUSTRIA, AUG 25-28, 2008

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 11 Citations

Scopus - 12 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-NG4

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-85194-3_6

Abstract (EN): In this paper we will try to understand how oracles and advice functions, which are mathematical abstractions in the theory of computability and complexity, can be seen as physical measurements in Classical Physics. First, we consider how physical measurements are a natural external source of information to an algorithmic computation, using a simple and engaging case study, namely: Hoyle's algorithm for calculating eclipses at Stonehenge. Next, we argue that oracles and advice functions can help us understand how the structure of space and time has information content that can be processed by Turing machines. Using an advanced case study from Newtonian kinematics, we show that non-uniform complexity is an adequate framework for classifying feasible computations by Turing machines interacting with an oracle in Nature, and that by classifying the information content of such a natural oracle, using Kolmogorov complexity, we obtain a hierarchical structure based on measurements, advice classes and information.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 3