Finite Model Theory

Finite model theory has its origin in classical model theory, but owes its systematic development to research from complexity theory. The book presents the main results of descriptive complexity theory, that is, the connections between axiomatizability of classes of the finite structures and their complexity with respect to time and space bounds. The logics that are important in this context include fixed-point logics, transitive closure logics, and also certain infinitary languages; their model theory is studied in full detail. Other topics include DATALOG languages, quantifers and oracles, 0-1 laws, and optimization and approximation problems.
The book is written in such a way that the respective parts on model theory and descriptive complexitiy theory may be read independently.

About the author

Prof. Dr. H.-D. Ebbinghaus ist Leiter des Instituts für Mathematische Logik an der Universität Freiburg. Durch Veröffentlichungen hat der Autor einen hohen Bekanntheitsgrad in der Hochschulmathematik.

Product details

• Authors: Heinz-Dieter Ebbinghaus, Jörg Flum
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.01.1995
• EAN: 9783540601494
• ISBN: 978-3-540-60149-4
• No. of pages: 327
• Weight: 626 g
• Series: Perspectives in Mathematical Logic; Perspectives in Mathematical Logic
• Subject: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Mathematics > Basic principles