Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology, Greater Noida

Push Down Automata

UNIT 4

Unit: 4

TAFL
Mr. Nagesh Sharma
Assistant Professor
Course Details IT
(B Tech 4th Sem)

Mr. Nagesh Sharma KCS - 402 TAFL Unit Number: 4

1
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 Content

• Introduction
• Push Down Automata
• Example of PDA
• Formal Definition of PDA
• Operation of PDA
• Instantons Description of PDA
• PDA Examples
• Construction of PDA from CFG
• Non Deterministic PDA

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 Course Objective

• Introduce concepts in automata theory and theory of computation

• Identify different formal language classes and their relationships

• Design grammars and recognizers for different formal languages

• Prove or disprove theorems in automata theory using its properties

• Determine the decidability and intractability of computational

problems

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 Course Outcome
Theory of Automata and Formal Languages (KCS-402)
Course Outcome (CO) Bloom’s Knowledge
Level (KL)

At the end of the course, the student will be able to understand

CO 1 Analyze and design finite automata, pushdown K4, K6
automata, Turing machines, formal languages and
grammars.
CO 2 Analyze and design, Turing Machine, formal languages K4, K6
and grammars.
CO 3 Demonstrate the understanding of key notions, such as K1, K5
algorithms, computability, decidability and complexity
through problem solving.

CO 4 Prove the basic result of the Theory of Computation. K2, K3

CO 5 State and explain the relevance of the Church Turing K1, K5

Thesis.

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 CO-PO and PSO Mapping
CO-PO correlation matrix of Theory of Automata and Formal
Languages (KCS 402)
PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12
KCS402.1 2 2 3 3 2 2 - - 2 1 - 3
KCS402.2 1 3 2 3 2 2 - 1 1 1 2 2
KCS402.3 2 2 3 2 2 2 - 2 2 1 2 3
KCS402.4 2 2 2 3 2 2 - 2 2 1 1 3
KCS402.5 3 2 2 2 2 2 - 2 1 1 1 2
Average 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2 2 - 1.4 1.6 1 1.2 2.6

Mapping of Program Specific Outcomes and Course Outcomes:

Program Specific Outcomes
Course Outcomes
PSO1 PSO2 PSO3 PSO4
KCS402.1 2 2 2 2
KCS402.2 2 2 1 1
KCS402.3 2 2 1 1
KCS402.4 2 2 1 1
KCS402.5 2 2 2 2
Average 2 2 1.4 1.4
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 Unit Objective

• To understand the designing of Push Down Automata.

• To understand the Non Deterministic Push Down Automata.
• To understand the relationship between PDA and Regular Grammar.

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 Prerequisite and Recap

Prerequisite:

• Brief review of basic operations on stack & Augmenting stack

Recap:

• Grammar are also called generators.

• There are various types of grammar like type 0, type 1, type 2 etc.
• Grammar can be ambiguous also.
• It can be represented by parse trees also.
• There are different Normal forms of grammar like CNF and GNF.

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 Unit 4 Syllabus

Push Down Automata and Properties of Context Free Languages:

Nondeterministic Pushdown Automata (NPDA)- Definition, Moves, A
Language Accepted by NPDA, Deterministic Pushdown
Automata(DPDA) and Deterministic Context free Languages(DCFL),
Pushdown Automata for Context Free Languages, Context Free
grammars for Pushdown Automata, Two stack Pushdown Automata,
Pumping Lemma for CFL, Closure properties of CFL, Decision Problems
of CFL, Programming problems based on the properties of CFLs.

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 Introduction (CO1, CO3, and CO4)

Recap: Till now we have studied about FA and its types, Regular
Expressions and Grammar.

Prerequisite: Brief review of basic operations on stack & Augmenting

stack

Objective: To understand the definition of Push Down Automata.

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 Introduction (CO1, CO3, and CO4)

Objective: To understand the definition of Push Down Automata.

• Informally pushdown automata can be viewed as finite automata with

stack.
• An added stack provides memory and increases the capability of the
machines.
• A Pushdown automata can do the following things:
– Read input symbols
– Perform Stack Operations:
• Push
• Pop
• Nop
– Make State Change

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 Push Down Automata(CO1, CO3, and CO4)

• PDA is more powerful than FA

• A Context Free Language (CFL) can be recognized by a PDA. Only a

subset of a CFL that are regular can be recognized by finite
automata.

• For every context free language there exists a PDA

• The language of a PDA is a context free language.

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 Example of PDA(CO1, CO3, and CO4)

• A Language is given L=
• This cannot be handled by a finite automata. But same can be
handled by a PDA

• Any machine recognizing a string of the form must keep track

of a’s as number of b’s must be equal to the number of as.
• First half of the string can be remembered through a stack.

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 Example of PDA (CO1, CO3, and CO4)

• In order to remember the first half of the strings that is umber of a’s
, machine will PUSH all the a’s into the stack.

• For example as given in the image after reading first 5 a’s the stack
contains 5 a’s.

• While reading the second half of the input string containing b’s, the
machine POP out an a from the stack for every b as input.

• After reading 5 b’s, input will finish and the stack will become
empty. This will indicate that the input string is of the form .

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 Example of PDA (Continued)

• The machine will have two states q0 and q1.

• State q0 is for reading number of a’s.
• State q1 is for reading number of b’s.

• A transition in a PDA depends on:

– Current State
– Current input
– Top symbol of the stack

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 PDA (CO1, CO3, and CO4)

A PDA uses three stack operations:

• POP Operation: it remove top symbol of the stack.

• PUSH Operation: it inserts a symbol onto the stack.
• NOP Operation, it does nothing to the stack.

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 The Formal Definition of PDA(CO1, CO3, and
CO4)

Recap: Till now we have studied about basic concept of Push

Down Automata.

Prerequisite: Brief review of basic operations on stack &

Augmenting stack

Objective: To understand the Formal Definition of PDA

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 The Formal Definition of PDA(CO1, CO3, and
CO4)
Objective: To understand the Formal Definition of PDA

• A Pushdown automata M is defined as 7 tuple:

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 Operations of PDA Representation(CO1,
CO3, and CO4)
Read Input with no operation on Stack

Left hand side of the transition implies:

• q1 is the current state,
• a is the current input,
• b is the stack symbol (topmost)

Right hand side of the transition implies:

• Machine enters in state q2 and symbol b is replaced by b. (No
modification)
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 Operations of PDA Representation(Continued)

POP Operation:

The above transition will erase the stack symbol

(topmost). Replacing b with ɛ manse removing b from top of the
stack.

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 Operations of PDA Representation(Continued)

PUSH Operation:

• The above transition will perform PUSH operation. It will push

a onto the stack. Replacing b with ab means PUSH a onto the
stack.

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 Operations of PDA Graphical
Representation(CO1, CO3, and CO4)

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 Instantaneous Description of a PDA (CO1,
CO3, and CO4)
• For a FA, the only thing of interest about the FA is its state.

• For a PDA, we want to know its state and the entire content of its
stack.
– Often the stack is one of the most useful pieces of
information, since it is not bounded in size.

• We can represent the instantaneous description (ID) of a PDA by

the following triple (q,w,γ):
– q is the state
– w is the remaining input
– γ is the stack contents

• By convention the top of the stack is shown at the left end of γ

and the bottom at the right end.

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 Instantaneous Description of a PDA

• Write down the IDs or moves for input string w = “aabb” of PDA
as M = ({q0, q1, q2}, {a, b}, {a, b, Z0}, δ, q0, Z0, {q2}), where δ is
defined by following rules:

• δ(q0, a, Z0) = {(q0, aZ0)} Rule (1)

δ(q0, a, a) = {(q0, aa)} Rule (2)
δ(q0, b, a) = {(q1, λ)} Rule (3)
δ(q1, b, a) = {(q1, λ)} Rule (4)
δ(q1, λ, Z0) = {(q2, λ)} Rule (5)
δ(q0, λ, Z0) = {(q2, λ)} Rule (6)

• Also check string w is accepted by PDA or not?

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 Instantaneous Description of a PDA

• Solution: Instantaneous Description for string w = “aabb”

• (q0, aabb, Z0) |- (q0, abb, aZ0) as per Rule (1)

|- (q0, bb, aaZ0) as per Rule (2)
|- (q1, b, aZ0) as per Rule (3)
|- (q1, λ, Z0) as per Rule (3)
|- (q2, λ, λ) as per Rule (5)

• Finally PDA reached a configuration of (q2, λ, λ) i.e. the input tape

is empty or input string w is completed, PDA stack is empty and
PDA has reached a final state. So the string ‘w’ is accepted.

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 The Language of a PDA(CO1, CO3, and CO4)

Recap: Till now we have studied about basic concept and definition of
Push Down Automata.

Prerequisite: Brief review of basic operations on stack & Augmenting

stack

Objective: To understand the language accepted by PDA.

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 The Language of a PDA(CO1, CO3, and CO4)

Objective: To understand the language accepted by PDA.

A language of a PDA can be accepted by two ways:

• Through final State

• Through empty stack

It is also possible to convert between the two states:

• From Final State to empty stack
• From empty stack to final state

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 Acceptance by Empty Stack

• Let the PDA , M = (Q, Σ, Γ, δ, q0, z0, Φ) then the language

accepted by an empty stack is given by:

Where q1 is any state belonging to Q and the stack becomes

empty on application of input string w.

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 Acceptance by Final State

• Let the PDA , M = (Q, Σ, Γ, δ, q0, z0, Φ) then the language

accepted by M through a final state is given by:

• Where state q1 ϵ F, α, the final contents of the stack are

irrelevant as a string is accepted through a final state.

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 PDA Examples with Solutions(CO1, CO3, and
CO4)
Q: Let L={| n<m} . Construct a PDF for following Language.

Solution:
Sequence of a’s should be pushed onto the stack in state q0.
δ(q0,a,z0) = (q0, az0)
δ(q0,a,a) = (q0, aa)

An a should be popped for every b as input till the end of input.

δ(q0,b,a) = (q1,ɛ)
δ(q1,b,a) = (q1,ɛ)

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 PDA Examples with Solutions

Additional m-n a’s should be popped from the stack.

δ(q1, ɛ, a) = (q1, ɛ)

Finally the symbol z0 should be popped out to make the state

empty.
δ(q1, ɛ, z0) = (q1, ɛ)

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 PDA Examples with Solutions

Q: Design a PDA for accepting the set of all strings over an

alphabet {a,b} with an equal number of a’s and b’s.

Solution:
Stack will be used to store excess of a’s over b’s or excess of b’s
over a’s out of input seen so far.

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 PDA Examples with Solutions

1. Stack contains z0 (topmost symbols) and the input is a:

δ(q0, a, z0) = (qo, az0)
2. Stack contains z0 and the input is b:
δ(q0, b, z0) = (qo, bz0)
3. Stack contains a and the input is a.
δ(q0, a, a) = (qo, aa)
4. Stack contains a and the input is b
δ(q0, a, b) = (qo, ɛ )
5. Stack contains b and the input is a
δ(q0, b, a) = (qo, ɛ )
6. Stack contains b and the input is b
δ(q0, b, b) = (qo, bb )

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 PDA Examples with Solutions

Transition Diagram

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 PDA Examples with Solutions

Q: Design a PDA to check whether a given string over {a, b}

ends in abb.

Solution:
Step 1: Design a DFA of given language:

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 PDA Examples with Solutions

• Step 2: Convert from DFA to PDA :

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 Construction of PDA from CFG(CO1, CO3,
and CO4)
Objective: To understand the relationship between PDA and CFG.

From a given CFG G = (V, T, P, S) a PDA can be constructed, M that

simulates the leftmost derivation of G.

The PDA accepting L(G) by empty stack is given by:

M = ({q, T, V U T, δ, q, S, Φ)
Where δ is defined as:
For each variable A ϵ V include a transition,
• δ(q,ɛ,A) = {(q,α)| A→ α is a production in G}
For each terminal a ϵ T, include a transition:
• δ(q,a,a) = {(q, ɛ)}

Mr. Nagesh Sharma KCS - 402 TAFL Unit Number: 4

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 Construction of PDA from CFG(CO1, CO3,
and CO4)

Recap: Till now we have studied about basic concept and definition of
Push Down Automata with examples.

Prerequisite: Brief review of basic operations on stack & Augmenting

stack and CFG.

Objective: To understand the relationship between PDA and CFG.

Mr. Nagesh Sharma KCS - 402 TAFL Unit Number: 4

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 Construction of PDA from CFG: Example

Q: Find a PDA for the given grammar:

S → 0S1|00|11

Solution:
The equivalent PDA, M is given by:
M = ({q},{0,1}, {0,1,S}, δ, q, S, Φ), where δ is given by:

δ(q, ɛ, S) = {(q,0S1), (q,00), (q,11)}

δ(q, 0, 0) = {(q, ɛ)}
δ(q, 1, 1) = {(q, ɛ)}

For CFG to PDA follow the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_6JJH34XyQ

Mr. Nagesh Sharma KCS - 402 TAFL Unit Number: 4

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 Non-deterministic Pushdown Automata
(CO1, CO3, and CO4)

Recap: Till now we have studied about basic concept and definition of
Push Down Automata with examples and relationship between CFG and
PDA.

Prerequisite: Brief review of basic operations on stack & Augmenting

stack and CFG.

Objective: To understand the designing of Non Deterministic PDA.

Mr. Nagesh Sharma KCS - 402 TAFL Unit Number: 4

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 Non-deterministic Pushdown Automata
(CO1, CO3, and CO4)
Objective: To understand the designing of Non Deterministic PDA.

• The non-deterministic pushdown automata is very much

similar to NFA.

• The CFG which accepts deterministic PDA accepts non-

deterministic PDAs as well. Similarly, there are some CFGs
which can be accepted only by NPDA and not by DPDA. Thus
NPDA is more powerful than DPDA.

Mr. Nagesh Sharma KCS - 402 TAFL Unit Number: 4

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 Non-deterministic Pushdown Automata

• Design PDA for Palindrome strips.

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 Non-deterministic Pushdown Automata

Simulation of abaaba
• δ(q1, abaaba, Z) Apply rule 1
• ⊢ δ(q1, baaba, aZ) Apply rule 5
• ⊢ δ(q1, aaba, baZ) Apply rule 4
• ⊢ δ(q1, aba, abaZ) Apply rule 7
• ⊢ δ(q2, ba, baZ) Apply rule 8
• ⊢ δ(q2, a, aZ) Apply rule 7
• ⊢ δ(q2, ε, Z) Apply rule 11
• ⊢ δ(q2, ε) Accept

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 Faculty Video Links, Youtube & NPTEL Video
Links and Online Courses Details

Youtube/other Video Links

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WKPbLV7JPI
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZbDEfnYwAo

Mr. Nagesh Sharma KCS - 402 TAFL Unit Number: 4

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 Daily Quiz

1. Design PDA for Language WcW R , W  (a, b) *

2. Enlist the difference between PDA and FA
3. Construct a PDA for the grammar
S→aAbB
A→aA
B→bB|b
4. Construct an unrestricted PDA equivalent of the grammar given
below
S→aAA
A→aS|bS|a
5. Construct the PDA for the language L= {ambn|n<m}

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 Daily Quiz (Continued)

6. Explain Two Stack PDA

7. Enlist the difference between PDA and FA.
8. Construct the PDA for the language L= {ambn|n<m}.
9. Design a PDA for accepting the set of all strings over {a,b} with

equal number od a’s and b’s.

10. Let L={anbncmdm|n,m>=1} find PDA that accept L.
11. Design a PDA to check whether a given string over {a,b} ends
with aba.
12. Construct a PDA to accept language {(ab)n|n>=1} by empty
stack.

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 Weekly Assignment

• https://
drive.google.com/file/d/13kK3291TzguwU6GAA8vIqrRw6w_13ypj/v
iew?usp=sharing

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 MCQ s

1. Top down PDA first move the ……. into the stack

a. start symbol
b. input symbol
c. first symbol
d. last production

2. The type of moves which are related to bottom up PDA are:

e. Shift
f. Reduce
g. Both A ad B
h. Neither A and B

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 MCQ s(Continued)

3. In a transaction if it takes a symbol b as an input and top of the stack is x

and wish to perform NOP operation then the string must replace the top of
the stack with which symbol?

a. x
b. a
c. ax
d. xa

4. PDA can accept:

e. context sensitive grammars

f. context free grammars
g. unrestricted grammars
h. chomsky’s grammars

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 MCQ s(Continued)

5. During the reduce action of a bottom up DPDA ….. of a production in the

stack will be replaced by …….. of a production.
a. RHS, LHS
b. LHS, RHS
c. LHS, LHS
d. RHS, RHS

6. During shift operation bottom up PDA ……… the input terminal……….

e. PUSH, into STACK
f. POP, from STACK
g. ignore, does not change STACK
h. throw, away

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 MCQ s(Continued)

7. In case of PDA containing transactions δ(q,ɛ,X)=p and δ(q,a,X)=r then it is

known as:
a. DPDA
b. NPDA
c. Violates the rule of PDA
d. Empties the stack

8. In case of accepted string the bottom up derivation ended with:

e. Non Terminal
f. start symbol
g. terminal
h. first production

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 Old Question Papers

• https://
drive.google.com/file/d/12YgCV_q7QeE1d_Hp0JrOWRFgXOcd
KSRc/view?usp=sharing
• https://
drive.google.com/file/d/1J5wqcdUF3nf_8UMcYD_wTblTK3Sm
Chqr/view?usp=sharing
• https://
drive.google.com/file/d/1VxIo8y0ZSdXXcHYLwUgii9MuZEosG
GyC/view?usp=sharing
• https://
drive.google.com/file/d/1ZlOKf6Il9xwPF6YlmSGAsFSsAjT4fNP
u/view?usp=sharing
• https://
drive.google.com/file/d/1dyqbDpBPuY50gsmu62JcVtgD65t_0l
u4/view?usp=sharing
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 Expected Questions for University Exam

1. Define the concept and working of a PDA.

2. Design a PDA to accept each of the following languages. You
may accept either by final state or by empty stack, whichever
more convenient. {0n1n|n>=1}
3. Construct a PDA to accept the language having equal number
of 0’s and 1’s.
4. Design 2 stack PDA for language L={ ambncn|n>=1}
5. Define Deterministic Push Down Automata and explain
instantaneous description of PDA.

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 Summary

• Push Down Automata are an extended version of finite automata

and uses stack as auxiliary memory.
• A push down automata is defined using seven tuples.
• PDA defines moves are based on three things:
– Current State
– Current input symbol
– Top of stack
• The power of NPDA is more than DPDA.
• Given PDA corresponding CFG can be determined.

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 References

1. Aho, Hopcroft and Ullman, The Design and Analysis of Computer

Algorithms, Addison Wesley.
2. Aho, Sethi, Ullman, Compilers Principles, Techniques and Tools, Pearson
Education, 2003.
3. Hopcroft and Ullman, Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages and
Computation, Addison Wesley.
4. Kohavi, ZVI, Switching And Finite Automata Theory, Tata McGraw-Hill,
2006.
5. Lewis and Papadimitriou, Elements of the Theory of Computation,
Prentice-Hall.
6. Martin, Introduction to Languages and the Theory of Computation,
McGraw-Hill, 2nd edition,1996.
7. Mishra, KLP, Chandrasekaran, N. Theory of Computer Science, (Automata,
Languages and Computation) PHI, 2002.

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 Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology, Greater Noida

Thank You

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