JFLAP (Java Formal Language and Automate Package) is an interactive software that helps to assist in topics of computer science, the area of formal language, and automated packages. This software does experimenting with formal language topics which include multi-tape Turing machines, several types of Grammar, parsing, and L-systems.
This software runs as a java application. It is freeware and the most recent version is also available but not completely free. It is under some restrictions.
What is JFLAP?
JFLAP is developed with the support of the National Science Foundation at Duke University. The History of JFLAP is covered on its site; jflap.org, and it includes many students from Duke University who have worked on this software since 1990.
JFLAP allows to organize or create structures for instance programming an infinite set of machines and experimenting with the proof such as converting non deterministic finite automata (NFA) into Deterministic Finite Automata (DFA). This software is primarily used at undergraduate level or advanced level of studies.
How to Download and Use JFLAP?:
JFLAP can be downloaded easily by clicking on the download option given below. You need to have Java SE1.4 to run JFLAP on your pc, or any other latest version of java should be installed on your system.
After that, following the simple instructions from your screen you can easily download and install JFLAP and use it. When you run JFLAP, the main menu will appear that shows all the functions managed by this software.
You can operate on more than one window at the same time and the interface of each window will depend on the problem.
Attributes of JFLAP:
This software is an interactive visualization and teaching tool for the students. It can be helpful in many ways. For instance:
- It lets you follow complex examples and constructions step by step, making them more clearer.
- This software helps in detecting errors and increase the accuracy of the project.
- JFLAP makes detailed testing of examples easy and accessible.
- It lets you picture different concepts and convert abstract ideas into concrete ones.
- This software is time-saver.
JFLAP solves lengthy problems and solves the extensive exercises within a few minutes. Its menu comprises different domains, some of the content of its menu is given below.
Grammar:
To work with the Grammar, you have to choose the option from the menu. This will open the window in which you can enter the production of grammar.
Finite Automata:
The second chapter two of this software deals with the tools of defining regular languages. In this section we also examine the state minimization issue. JFLAP implements the construction explained in the text.
Connections:
This section explains the connections between various ways of defining regular languages. The conversion of one representation to another is fully implemented by the JFLAP.
Properties of regular Languages:
This section relates to the text involving the number constructions relating to closure result. These difficult exercises call for testing and inventiveness.
Context-Free Grammars:
The questions of Context-Free grammars are much harder as compared to the questions of the finite automata and regular languages. There is no guaranteed way of showing two context-free grammars are equal. The accurate way is to form strong presumption of equivalence.
PushDown Automata:
Pushdown automata are difficult as compared to finite automata. There is no authentic way of checking pda or we don’t know any algorithms for state minimization. Consequently extensive testing is required to get the accuracy in the algorithm.
Properties of the Context-Free Grammar:
There are only few results on the context and decision problems of context-free grammar. The answers are not always easy to get and as expected.
Unrestricted and Context-Sensitive Grammar:
One way to avoid mistakes in unrestricted grammar is to use ‘User Control Parsing’. With this you can get various strings and check the idea you are using in constructing grammar.
Conclusion
JFLAP is the best software to assist you in your studies. Rather than diluting into rigorous practice of doing extensive problems, you should opt for this software. You just have to learn a few basic rules and you are good to go.
