Differences DFA And NFA

Automata theory, a branch of theoretical computer science, established its roots during the 20^th Century, as mathematicians began developing both theoretically and literally machines which imitated certain features of man, completing calculations more quickly and reliably. Automata theory deals with the logic of computation with respect to simple machines, referred to as automata.

Through automata, computer scientists are able to understand how machines compute functions and solve problems and more importantly, what it means for a function to be defined as computable or for a question to be described as decidable.

Automatons are abstract models of machines that perform computations on an input by moving through a series of states or configurations. At each state of the computation, a transition function determines the next configuration on the basis of a finite portion of the present configuration. As a result, once the computation reaches an accepting configuration, it accepts that input. Finite Automaton can be classified into two types:

• Deterministic Finite Automaton (DFA)
• Non-deterministic Finite Automaton (NDFA/NFA)

What Is DFA (Deterministic Finite Automaton)?

A deterministic finite automaton (DFA) also referred to as Deterministic finite acceptor (DFA), Deterministic finite-state machine (DFSM) or Deterministic finite state automaton (DFSA) is a finite-state machine that accepts or rejects a given string of symbols, by running through a state sequence uniquely  determined by the string.

It can also be described as an abstract mathematical concept often implement in hardware and software for solving various specific problems. For example, a DFA can model software that decides whether or not online user input such as email addresses are valid.

DFAs recognize exactly the set of regular languages, which are, among other things, useful for doing lexical analysis and pattern matching. DFAs can be built from nondeterministic finite automata (NFAs) using the powerset construction method.

What You Need To Know About DFA

• Deterministic Finite Automata is a type FA whereby only one path is possible for any specific input to transit from its current state to the next state. There usually exists a unique transition for each input symbol.
• DFA is an abstract mathematical concept. It is used in software and hardware for finding solutions to specific problems.
• DFA can be understood as one machine and a DFA machine can be constructed for every input and output.
• DFAs are designed from nondeterministic finite automata (NFAs) by incorporating the powerset construction method.
• In DFA, the next possible state is distinctly set.
• Backtracking is allowed in DFA.
• DFA recognizes natural languages to perform lexical analysis, pattern matching etc.
• DFA cannot use empty string transition.
• DFA will produce a unique computation /run enabling the automaton of each input string.
• For every symbol of the alphabet, there is only one state transition in DFA.
• DFA reject the string in case the termination state is other than the accepting state.
• A DFA is best explained in the form of one machine and not as separate units for computing purposes.
• DFA is more difficult to construct.
• DFA requires more space.
• In DFA we cannot move from one state to another without consuming a symbol.
• The time needed for executing an input string is less when compared to NFA.
• In DFA transition function, the number of the next states is zero or one or more.
• All DFA are NFA.

What Is NFA(Nondeterministic Finite Automaton)?

A nondeterministic finite automaton (NFA) also referred to as nondeterministic finite-state machine, were introduced in 1959 by Michael O. Rabin and Dana Scott. Nondeterminism is an important concept in the theory of computing. It refers to the possibility of having multiple choices for what can happen at various points in a computation. 

An NFA, similar to a DFA, consumes a string of input symbols. For each input symbol, it transitions to a new state until all input symbols have been consumed. In each step, the automaton arbitrarily chooses one of the applicable transitions. If there exist some sequence of choices leading to an accepting state after completely consuming the input, it is accepted. Otherwise, if no choice sequence at all can consume all the input and lead to an accepting state, the input is rejected.

What You Need To Know About NFA

• Non-Deterministic Finite Automata is a type of FA whereby it is possible to have many paths for a given set of inputs to make their transition from their current state to the next states.
• In NFA, the transitions are not uniquely determined by their input symbol or source state.
• NFA can be understood as several little machines that compute together and there is no possibility of constructing an NFA machine for every input and output.
• In NFA, each pair of state and input symbol can have many possible next states.
• In NFA, backtracking may or may not be allowed.
• The reading of input symbols is not required for every individual state transition.
• NFA can use empty string transition.
• No user-specifications are required for making NFAs react in line to symbols.
• NFA rejects the string only when all branches of the NFA are dead or do not accept the string.
• NFA is a collection of multiple little-sized units that are combined together to perform computation activities.
• NFA is easier to construct.
• NFA requires little space.
• NFA allows (null) as the second argument of the transition function. This means that the NFA can make a transition without consuming an input symbol.
• Time needed for executing an input string is more when compared to DFA.
• In NFA transition function, the number of next states is exactly one.
• Not all NFA are DFA.

Difference  Between DFA And NFA In Tabular Form