Turing Machines Explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- A Turing machine is a model of a machine which can mimic any other (known as a universal machine). What we call "computable" is whatever a Turing machine can write down. This video is about how it was conceived and why it works using physical explaination. This is part of my Computer Science series ( • The Origin of Computer... )
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I always knew Turing was smart but man this video shows me how ahead of his time he was. As a computer science major, I am thoroughly impressed that his paper panned out into modern day computer functions.
i know, i keep going back myself
Turing went on to design and build a computer in which He coded a Baysian Algorithm to decode a German encryption cypher analog machine ( Enigma ) to help win the world war
he conceptualized a theoretical gay computer that can do everything but in practice is non existant
I'm intelligent when it comes to music but I have no clue whats going on lol.
Amazing work as usual! The way Turing was able to breakdown computing into it's most fundamental parts like this is fascinating. It's also mind-blowing how this simply stated framework allows all of the advanced technology we see today...
hey thoughts on how this applies to how we think about attention heads in transformers?
@@Jamey_ETHZurich_TUe_Rulez the video i'm working on now is about this higher level of abstration, it seems like LLM's result in a computational model where the word is the first class element, instead of the bit?
@@Jamey_ETHZurich_TUe_Rulez whatever your drinking, i want some
That video really opened my eyes.. That was the first time I finally understood, at last a little bit, how computers are programmed. Very well explained
awesome :)
You are stunningly good. Thank-you for this series.
Gosh, this takes me back! To the Institute of Cybernetics at Brunel University, 1970-72, where the Research Professor looking after us doctoral students was Gordon Pask (look him up!) A delightful eccentric. And his way of teaching us the Turing Machine was to chalk out a single line of floor-tiles in the lecture theatre- the tape- and ask us to imagine that he was the read-write head. There he was, hopping on one leg (read), other leg (write), asking us to call out the algorithm for 2+2=4 for him to compute. (That had taken us a while to prepare since it was expressed in binary digits). 'hop left-read- hop right- hop right -write' etc etc, with this small (barely 5 foot tall) but immensely distinguished gentleman hopping along merrily. Such fun!
such a cool story thanks for sharing
Your channel must be in the top 0.0001% best channels on youTube.
I've been looking all over the internet for a layperson explanation of the functionality of a Turing Machine. This video nails it. Thank you, so very much.
I made this video for people like you, I'm glad it's being found still
Watching this in 2023 it feels like the next brink all over again.
Great video. I'll stick to this channel from now on.
Happy to have you, I'm currently working on my next video in the AI series and i keep reflecting on this video due to the parallels
Amazing video, this is surely one of the best channels on TH-cam! Can't wait for the next part!
turing was years ahead of his time, the world is still playing catchup
1936, as one can read on the first page shown.
Thinking of it is one thing, creating it is a whole different world.
@@Melvin420x12 er, he kind of did. he made the machine that broke the Nazi's Enigma machine encryption. He basically made a machine that did what would have taken humans millions of years. and nobody before him had really designed a machine to do that. he envisioned it, designed it, and made it. and it worked. and computers are all basically based on the same theory, just using circuits instead of rotors to do the work.
Turns out he was right on time
Turing last paper on Biology showed he was onto something even more advance. He was able to compute patterns on animals which would take our modern day best computers thousands of years. A small sample was tested and turing was right.
Just days before his death.
Amazing. With such a machine we will eventually be able to take pictures of our dinner and put it in some virtual cloud space.
heaven
I have done a lot of 'basic' type programming for engineering application from punch card on IBM 370 fortran ADA on VAX up to VBA ... and only heard of A.Turing in the recent years on helping crack the enigma machine.... but this short video does explain where all this came from thanks !
awesome glad you found me
I really like your explanation. I like how you explain a "2D book" interpretation of a Turing Machine before you jump into a "1D Tape". I think I finally understand a Turing Machine! Thanks!
woo awesome to hear!
Brit, thank you again for all your hours (days?) in producing yet another very informative, clear and engaging episode. Your videos do an amazing job of explaining some very complex subjects into ideas that we all can understand. I feel lucky to have stumbled upon your channel, keep up the excellent work.
Thanks for the kind words MrTexMart. I spent many many days on this spread across several months.... it was a slow process so it's nice when people recognize effort - this video in particular I had pondered for over a year before making it.
At last! A series about things i care about (Concepts), presented in a artful and captivating way. Thank you. I found you from looking at the wiki page of James Burke Connections. (my favorite bbc series)
This was well done. I like the way you explained it.
thank you! stay tuned
it is criminal that this doesn't have at least a million views
I know I worked hard on this, wish the YT algo liked it
Thanks for the video! this channel deserves more subscribers.
This is the best explanation I've yet seen of how the conceptual Turing Machine was originally invented - how did Alan Turing get the idea for the thing and then how did he formulate it.
i know, i'd love to know how he got there...
i was explaining circuits to my kids the other day and almost felt like i was about to get there, when I was thinking about how much work it would be to write up logic gates in various ways and how logic circuits are just "truth tables",...
Rather than distracting Motion Graphics, like other explain videos out there in youtube, Bro presented the subject more practically which everyone can Grasp...
that was my goal! real life
Excellent video...but a suggestion would be to drop the unusual and annoying music.....it's also to loud. But overall, great job ! Thanks for doing this.
No, music is good
no, music is good
That is what I was looking for, nice and clear explanation!
right? i remember being so lost
Wow, so many people have never heard a vibraphone before? I enjoyed the backing track, I think it complemented the visuals quite nicely. Wonderful and informative video, Thank You for all your hard work!!
Wow. The best description of Turing machines I've ever seent! ☺️🎉
I've already read various things about Turing, but you nail it to the wall with your video. He sat down and provided the principle for something that has fascinated me since I was a child. It is sad that someone so intelligent was not allowed to bathe in champagne during his lifetime. He should have been celebrated then as now, as he is today, like a virtuoso of thought. Also to your side, hats off! Wonderful work!
thrilled you found this video, i loved making it and I agree 100%
@@ArtOfTheProblem You put the video together wonderfully. Turing would certainly be touched.
@@ArtOfTheProblem By the way, you are very attentive. I didn't expect an answer. Thank you for that. I've been making music with the computer for a very long time. Actually, since I have one. If you would like to have a beat for one of your videos, I will send it to you exclusively. It would be an honour for me! Let me know.
Eagerly waiting for the second part of this video
coming soon
Such a great video, loved the editing and music.
@@yeatbh7656 thanks please stay tuned
new video is out would love if you could help me share it around, I only have 24 hours left for the algo to catch it: th-cam.com/video/PvDaPeQjxOE/w-d-xo.html
HOLY SHITEEE! This just blew my mind!! I've always wondered HOW TF we even thought of making something like the Assembly language and this kind of puts all that into perspective. Mad respect to Sir Turing!
stay tuned!!
@@ArtOfTheProblem yaya sure! i am really liking your explanation, keep em coming!✨ have a good day
It was so complicated to understand but made simple by this video
He was a gift to humanity.
And he was killed (indirectly) by the British government because he was gay.
Dude the music is ruining this. It's way too loud relative to the speech volume.
I see what you mean, but I think it’s alright. The bells get my neurons firing. It sounds better on headphones but it would help if it was a tad quieter.
Turn on subtitles
I LOVE the music. The music makes it x100 better! It makes the knowledge he drops EPIC.
Agree, it's annoying. Just his voice is enough
This was ridiculous.
I turned off the sound completely. Tried to watch it with subtitles only.
The sound actual did hurt inside my ears. With the sound level at 5% I could not hear the narrator anymore but there was still the remnant of this annoying sound that froze my mind. I never ever experienced this before.
this video is a required seeing for every cs student, very insightful
I struggled in CS with this concept so I'd love it if this was the case
I finally understand this, good video!
thrilled to hear it, how did you find it?
new video! th-cam.com/video/PvDaPeQjxOE/w-d-xo.html
First, thank you so much, great content. I'm sure a lot of people in "Ohh, i see" state after watching this.
Thrilled to hear this, stay tuned for more
Hey I have a new video out: th-cam.com/video/5EcQ1IcEMFQ/w-d-xo.html
"If we are going to call it a 'computer'..." - yes, let's go with that!
Great explanation! However, as others have commented, maybe removing the extremely irritating (and way too loud) background noises would help future viewers concentrate on what's being said and thereby understand the concept more easily :)
Took 2 years to finish this one, finally live would love your feedback: th-cam.com/video/OFS90-FX6pg/w-d-xo.html
Little correction at 2:35 it is 1936 not 1928
Published in January 1937 but yeah
Woww... Really wow..
You just ignited my curiosuty.
thrilled to hear it!
These series keeps me motivated at studies. Thanks a lot!
And miss intro with dice 😊
This is how modern computer work at its basics, they can only do sums, subtraction and compare values nothing more, but do it billions of times per second, making it appear as is doing more than this.
Hey I have a new video out: th-cam.com/video/5EcQ1IcEMFQ/w-d-xo.html would love if you could help me share it
Very nice. I’m almost there.
baby steps
This video helped me understand the concept behind my homework assignment for discrete mathematics. Thanks!
Super thanks for sharing, I'm glad this video this being found in search of help and helping...I spent a long time struggling with this when I first was introduced.
what was the homework assignment about?
This video just blew my mind 🤯
Fuckin finally. I have watched 3 videos before this and none of them made sense. I now understand it, thank you!
Excellent, this is why I made this video and I'm happy to see it's serving its purpose.
The background noise is irritating and unnecessary.
The first time I understood whata Turing Machine is! Thank you!
sweet!
Great video. One correction: At 2:34 it should say "In 1936" instead of "in 1928".
Man this guy was a genius
This is absolutely incredible, thanks!
Thank you, I've been eagerly waiting for this! Keep it up :)
Great video and great explanation. God bless
That was really good, thanks for this wonderful explanation ❤
glad you found it!!
This is my favorite video of all time. And I'm not exaggerating either. Thank you.
Fine video and great explanations. There's an error around the 2:30 time stamp. The year mentioned there (1928) is wrong; the correct year is 1936.
I'm sorry I did not scan the comments -- this is already known.
Fascinating video. However, the sound effects and music are drilling my ears.
I'm aware of permanent tinnitis after listening to this video dinging every few seconds.
This was kinda mind blowing, ngl.
creepy ending. is it hinting P vs NP for the next video? :)
Yes sir!
iVideoCommenter Can't wait for part 2!
Yes that's up next - I have a brand new approach/analogy I can't wait to share.
I literally just watched all 6 videos in the past half-hour (thank TH-cam for 2x speed!).
I was afraid that since there were only a few videos that the series would be incomplete, but I'm so glad to find out that its still alive and kicking! It's an amazing series. I'm just sad that I have to wait for the P vs NP video now....
666unknowndevil666 afraid the series would be "incomplete"? I see what you did there 😁maybe the channel should tell us which video in the series to watch next, observe the video. and complete a task lol
Excellent video! Can't wait for part two. Subbed.
Here is last part: th-cam.com/video/u2DLlNQiPB4/w-d-xo.html
Really interesting video. Turing's paper was publishing in 1936, not 1928 but in response to the three questions posed by Hilbert in 1928.
Took 2 years to finish this one, finally live would love your feedback: th-cam.com/video/OFS90-FX6pg/w-d-xo.html
Very well done documentary
what a brilliant video, superb
thank you, glad people are still finding this
Thank you! This was actually very helpful
excellent i'm glad this video is working for people
beautiful video
I'm amazed. A well produced original content. So what happens at the basic mechanical level? Is it a bunch of transistors connected in random shapes and sizes?
well done, will show in class
let me know what questions they have
Brilliant vid! Thanks!
appreciate the feedback stay tuned for more
very good video I'll always remember this.
The was really well explained...
this guy cracked the german enigma code, without it, we would all be speaking german.
This stuff is so interesting and yet unlistenable
why?
@@ArtOfTheProblem The music is extremely too loud and I dont think it is mixed according to norms. Do you still have the original mix? (The music tracks and the voice tracks)
@@mariumeplume9562 yeah but unfortunately I can't swap in a new track, i wish youtube would allow that
@@ArtOfTheProblem Yeah I know they should. If you do others I can help you out. I mix for television. Send me ur tracks and i'll do it for free, I like your stuff
You guys are underrated
Beautiful video!
I think Alan Turing's theory is very simple. but extraordinary
i agree
The paper you mention at 2:39 was published in 1936 not 1928.
I would have liked to watch this video on Alan Turing's machines but the background high pitched bell sounds were not necessary and extremely distracting from what was being said I had ti switch it off.
wait, so the instructions are on the same tape. how does the head "remember" how its instructions are formulated if it at the present instance somewhere else on the tape reading the "input"? and does this not per se lead to many many cases where the turing machine rewrites its own instructions?
good question, there is a marker separating instructions from scratch pad
A common thinking error: the machine is thinking. The machine is not thinking at all, it is only executing. Nor is it deciding. All thinking and all deciding is done by humans writing the algorithm, or even better, the people giving (vague?) orders and basic ideas ('design') that the writers of the algorithm turn into commands for the machine. What we call thinking often is executing complex sets of executable operations. For example, many websites can't imagine you master several languages and switch to the language they base on your location or IP-adress. When you switch it back, the 'smart' machine notices your language does not correspond to your location or IP-adress and changes it back. Who is thinking here? Who is deciding?
Nice explanation 👍
Minor correction: Turing's paper was published in 1938, not 1928 as stated in the video: th-cam.com/video/-ZS_zFg4w5k/w-d-xo.html&t=154
1928 is when Hilbert issues his challenges.
you should put flashing warning
its sad how a legend and the man behind every resolution been treated so wrongly and been a victim of suicide
My dog loved this video
Thanks. That made sense to me
excellent...stay tuned
Way to leave me hanging at the edge of my seat!
I agree with the previous comments. Thank you so much!! May I ask where you found the black and white interviews, specifically the one starting at 7:38? Thank you again.
appreciate it Paul. most historical clips used in my videos are found on internet archive.
Have you thought about how a Hologram could be used as a Algorithm, or as a type of memory for the algorithm to use?
no but this sounds very interesting...i wonder what others have done already
This is quality content ❤️.
great video
"Touring reminds us that the... algorithm and the rough work could all be done on one piece of paper"
Can someone dive a little deeper into this, please? How could the rough work and algorithm be in the same space? If they are on the same linear tape how could the machine differentiate the two?
OMG ARE YOU THE GUY WHO MADE THE ENCRYPTION VIDEOS??? Ceaser Cipher, one-time pad, RSA encryption, Alice & Bob (& Eve), etc.
Yes that's me
Basically the tape with a moving scan print head is the mechanical magnetic Hard Disk Drive (HDD). the head scans reads the magnetic disc , sends the data to the comparison system (CPU) and receives some data that the head stores again on the HDD.
He broke down a computer machine (any tool trying to make meaningful decisions and process information based on raw data input) into its main essential constituent parts / Functions.
a. it needs a storage function (tape) by a storage part (like the HDD Magnetic Disk)
b. it needs a read function by a reading part (like the HDD Magnetic Head)
c. it needs a write function by a writing / printing part (like the HDD Magnetic Head)
d. it would have a limited attention / memory / focus to a subset of the input processing the data one step at a time. (like the RAM or the CPU Registers that take subsets of the data to process them one part at a time)
e. it would need a comparison mechanism / part that can do some basic arithmetic and logic (like the CPU)
he was simply trying to break down computation into its basic logical needs as far as he could at the time.
his description was very simple and not too detailed into the actual materials and Electronics Engineering or Mechanical Engineering needed to make such a tool but any computing machine would have to be composed of these parts performing those essential functions for computation.
a Turing Machine was simply an early vague imagination of modern day Computer parts.
notice that turing didn't give details into the nature of this efficient read/write/compare/arithmetic-logic unit. how would you make an ALU (mechanical or electric or otherwise) and of what material and how would you make this storage system. and how would you manipulate data and data types and different data sizes. it was just a basic vague outline and understanding of how anything that computes complex input data and process it into output information would have to work.
not everything is unfathomable. the guy did some good job at predicting computer constituents at an early date with some things accurate and some things obscure. no need to overrate the idea more than it needs.
Read some more into turing machines before posting this shite
superb!
thanks for the feedback
Is anybody else extremely distracted by the sounds in this video??
I'm in computer science, but today i feel like I became a computer scientist. Just joking, I have no fucking idea what's going on.
I really wanted to watch this, but the music you chose is so distracting I couldn't get through it. thanks though...
I got a lot ...thanks
Seriously the dinging sounds make it very difficult to listen to the video!
Is that a Japanese rebranded Commodore adder machine at 2:02 ?