Regular and Context-Free Languages

By : Manglika Tripathi

Updated : Feb 26, 2021, 4:50

Regular and context-free languages for computer science is a topic from the Theory of Computation subject. Theory of Computation is a study of resolving the problems on a computational model with an algorithm’s help. Let us now understand regular and context-free language topics for GATE CS.

The generation of a language by regular grammar is said to be a regular language. A regular grammar is one that is either left-linear or right-linear. Whereas, the generation of a language using context-free grammar is called a context-free language.

Important Regular and Context-Free Languages Topics for GATE CS

For your exam preparation, given below are the important topics. The topics are picked based on the previous year's regular and context-free languages GATE questions and regular and context-free languages GATE syllabus.

Topic

Description

Regular Languages

A regular language is the one that is generated by regular grammar.

Non-Regular languages

A non-regular or an irregular language is one that cannot be defined by a regular expression.

Deterministic CFLs

DCFL is a proper subset of CFLs. Acceptance of the context-free languages by a deterministic pushdown automaton is the DCFL.

CFLs

A context-free language is one which is generated by context-free grammar.

Non-CFLs

You will learn the properties of non-CFLs in this topic.

Properties

You will learn the important properties of regular and context-free languages.

Tips to prepare Regular and Context-Free Languages for GATE

  1. For the GATE or similar exam preparation, you should first go through the regular and context-free languages syllabus for GATE and other competitive exams.
  2. As you start studying, make your regular and context-free languages notes for GATE CS simultaneously. If you don’t have the habit of preparing notes for yourself, you can refer the regular and context-free languages notes for GATE pdf available online.
  3. Once you are done with the preparation, you can start attempting the regular and context-free languages MCQ questions. You can identify your weak topics and prepare it again.
  4. You can then go for attempting regular and context-free languages online quiz and take the regular and context-free languages online test provided by BYJU'S Exam Prep.
  5. You can make this subject crystal clear and revise the topic by referring to the online regular and context-free languages GATE questions and answers pdf.

Importance of Regular and Context-Free Languages for GATE

  1. In regular and context-free languages, we check if operations applied to a particular class (like regular or context-free) will always speak the same class. In this topic, we take a closer look at the properties of regular and context-free languages.
  2. Studying regular and context-free languages is important as it provides an accurate mathematical definition. It also helps in clearly ruling out particular types of language.
  3. The regular and context-free languages and other topics from the Theory of Computation subject will give you an average of 8 to 9 marks in GATE examination.
  4. Along with GATE, regular and context-free languages are important for other government and competitive exams like ISRO, ESE, and other CS exams.

Most Recommended Books for Regular and Context-Free Languages for GATE

For the exam preparation of this topic, given below is the list of regular and context-free language books. These books will help you in understanding the concepts in detail.

Book

Author

Introduction to the Theory of Computation

Michael Sipser

Theory of Computer Science: Automata, Languages, and Computation

Mishra K.L.P

An introduction to Formal Languages and Automata

Peter Linz

Why prepare Regular and Context-Free Languages from BYJU'S Exam Prep?

BYJU'S Exam Prep is an online exam prep community that will help you get the study resources for your government and competitive exams like GATE, ISRO, ESE, and other Computer Science exams. Every minute while exam preparation is precious. You need not waste your time searching for the best regular and context-free language study material for GATE CS. All you need to do is download the BYJU'S Exam Prep app. It is a one-stop exam preparation app which will provide you with regular and context-free languages GATE notes. You can ace your preparation with the regular and context-free languages quiz, regular and context-free languages MCQ pdf, and other studies resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are regular Language and regular grammar?
A: The generation of a language by regular grammar is said to be a regular language. A regular grammar is the one that is either left-linear or right-linear.

Q. Is every regular language a CFL?
A: Yes, every regular language is a CFL as well, but not every CFL is a regular language.

Q. What is a Deterministic CFLs?
A: Deterministic CFLs (DCFL) is a proper subset of CFLs. Acceptance of the context-free languages by a deterministic pushdown automaton is the DCFL.

Q. What is context-free language? Please give an example.
A: A context-free language is one which is generated by a context-free grammar. For Example: 1-L={W | W belongs to {a,b}*} .

Q. What are the important properties if L is a context-free language, and R is the regular language?
A: If if L is a context-free language, and R is the regular language:

L⋂R= always CFL and not regular necessarily.

  1. L∪R= always CFL not regular necessarily.
  2. L-R= always CFL not regular necessarily.
  3. R-L= Always CSL but not CFL necessarily.