The purpose of this thesis is to develop a software system simulating Turing machines using a Microsoft Windows' Interface.Developed in the 1930's by Alan Turing and Emil Post, Turing machines are defined as "abstract computers" . These machines seem able to solve all problems a modern computer can solve, however complex the problems may be. A Turing machine is a basic computational model for algorithms.The software provides a practical tool to students with a relative notion of Turing machines. The software contains introduction and general information on Turing machines that gives the beginner enough background to use the program. The user can create, modify or run Turing machines saved onto MS-DOS files. Some examples of Turing machines are preloaded. These examples give more help to the beginner.An on-line help facility is provided in order to direct and inform the learning student at each level of the software.The Microsoft Windows' Interface makes the software easy and friendly to use. The software has the modularity which will ease any future enhancement. / Department of Computer Science

The Hypertext concept was introduced about 50 years ago. This thesis presents the development of a reference system using the Hypertext concept. HYATS (HYpertext Automata and Turing Theory Learning 5ys,em) is a system which helps users learn many topics in the area of theory of computation. The system is implemented by Guide which is a general purpose Hypertext system running on PC-Windows environment. HYATS also includes a Turing machine simulating program which was written by Dominique Atger as her Master's Thesis in 1993, so that users can actually experiment with Turing machines learned through HYATS. HYATS will be not only the reference system, but also the complete package of actual learning system. The motivation behind this project is to study basic concepts of a Hypertext system so that it will also contribute to G-Net research. HYATS can be used as a prototype for future development of versions of by using other Hypertext systems such as NoteCards. / Department of Computer Science