Abstract computation over first-order structures. Extras: From programs to decision trees I

Abstract

Decisions and their consequences can be described and analyzed by means of decision trees. The decisions themselves depend on questions that, whenever possible, should be answered with yes or no. The original BSS machines over the real numbers are graphs with computation nodes and branching nodes for decisions. The evaluation of BSS machines and algebraic decision trees in computer-aided geometry which have been introduced for various types of numbers generally involves the evaluation of systems of literals of first-order logic. Flowchart-like representations and decision trees are also helpful for analyzing decisions made by BSS RAMs over first-order structures. All algorithms defined by machine-oriented programs of BSS RAMs can be illustrated using flowcharts, walks, and paths in program trees. The basic structures of these tools are graphs and their visual representations can help to characterize the behavior of individual BSS RAMs and other first-order machines. We offer a theoretical framework for linking various models. Here, we introduce program paths and transition systems for transforming partial configurations which are defined syntactically and can be extended and refined later. Finally, we define standard orders for program paths and present algorithms for enumerating finite program paths.