https://github.com/pzuehlke/turing-machine-tape-generator
A Python function which generates LaTeX code for displaying the tape of a Turing machine
https://github.com/pzuehlke/turing-machine-tape-generator
latex python tikz turing turing-machine
Last synced: 2 months ago
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A Python function which generates LaTeX code for displaying the tape of a Turing machine
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/pzuehlke/turing-machine-tape-generator
- Owner: pzuehlke
- License: gpl-3.0
- Created: 2023-04-03T17:13:27.000Z (over 3 years ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2024-01-10T22:03:22.000Z (over 2 years ago)
- Last Synced: 2024-01-12T05:01:31.150Z (over 2 years ago)
- Topics: latex, python, tikz, turing, turing-machine
- Language: Python
- Homepage:
- Size: 37.1 KB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# Turing Machine Tape Generator
This repository contains Python scripts designed to automate the generation and compilation of [LaTeX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaTeX)/[TikZ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGF/TikZ) source code for visually representing the tape of a [Turing machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_machine).
The resulting diagram follows the same style as that in Charles Petzold's book [_The Annotated Turing_](https://www.charlespetzold.com/books/). It consists of a grid of squares containing characters from a given input string, with an ultra-thick border around a specified square to indicate the current position of the head, a customizable total number of squares and a few style options.
## Structure
The program consists of three scripts:
1. `generate_tikz_code.py` – Generates the LaTeX/TikZ source code and saves it to the file `tikz_code.tex`.
2. `compile_latex.py` – Compiles the generated LaTeX file to a PDF and saves it inside an `output` folder together with associated `.aux` and `.log` files.
3. `main.py` – Main script; calls the other two scripts to produce the LaTeX source code and PDF files.
## Requirements
* Python 3.x
* A LaTeX distribution with `pdflatex` (e.g., TeX Live, MiKTeX)
* The [TikZ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGF/TikZ) package for LaTeX
## Usage
Using any text editor, modify the values of the variables in `main.py` to customize the tape's content according to the explanations there. Here's the code used to produce the first example in the preceding figure:
```python
s = "r e c u r s i o n !" # The string to be printed on the tape
head = 15 # The position of the head (0-based)
length = 20 # The total number of squares
style = "c" # Additional style options
```
Then run the main script through the Python interpreter:
```bash
python3 main.py
```