Turing Machine
A Turing Machine is a theoretical mathematical model of computation that defines an abstract machine capable of simulating any algorithmic process. It consists of an infinite tape divided into cells, a head that reads and writes symbols on the tape, and a finite set of states with transition rules. This model is foundational in computer science for understanding the limits of computation and the concept of decidability.
Developers should learn about Turing Machines to grasp fundamental computational theory, such as what problems can be solved algorithmically and the Church-Turing thesis. It is essential for fields like theoretical computer science, algorithm design, and complexity theory, helping in understanding concepts like Turing completeness and the halting problem.