Boolean Functions and Computation Models

The foundations of computational complexity theory go back to Alan Thring in the 1930s who was concerned with the existence of automatic procedures deciding the validity of mathematical statements. In 1957, John von Neumann [vN58] wrote in his notes for the Silliman Lectures concerning the nature of computation and the human brain that . This textbook presents a survey of research on boolean functions, circuits, parallel computation models, function algebras, and proof systems. Its main aim is to elucidate the structure of "fast" parallel computation. The complexity of parallel computation is emphasized through a variety of techniques ranging from finite combinatorics, probability theory, and finite group theory to finite model theory and proof theory. Nonuniform computation models are studied in the form of boolean circuits, uniform ones in a variety of forms. Steps in the investigation of non-deterministic polynomial time are surveyed as is the complexity of various proof systems. The book will benefit advanced undergraduate and graduate students as well as researchers in the field of complexity theory. This textbook presents a survey of research on boolean functions, circuits, parallel computation models, function algebras, and proof systems. Its main aim is to elucidate the structure of "fast" parallel computation. The complexity of parallel computation is emphasized through a variety of techniques ranging from finite combinatorics, probability theory and finite group theory to finite model theory and proof theory. Nonuniform computation models are studied in the form of boolean circuits; uniform ones in a variety of forms. Steps in the investigation of non-deterministic polynomial time are surveyed as is the complexity of various proof systems. The book will benefit advanced undergraduates and graduate students as well as researchers in the field of complexity theory.