Arto Salomaa
Encyclopedia
Arto Salomaa is a Finnish mathematician
and
computer scientist
. His research career, which spans over forty years,
is focused on formal languages and automata theory
.
A 2004 citation stated that
"Arto is without doubt the founder of automata and formal language theory
in Europe".
, Finland
on June 6, 1934.
He earned a Bachelor's degree
from University of Turku
in 1954
and a Ph.D from the same university in 1960. Salomaa's father
was a professor of philosophy at
the University of Turku
.
Salomaa was introduced to the theory of automata and formal languages
during seminars at Berkeley
given by
John Myhill
in 1957.
,
a position he still holds.
He also spent two years in the late 1960s at the
University of Western Ontario
in London
,
Ontario
, Canada
, and two years in the 1970s at the
University of Aarhus
in Aarhus
, Denmark
.
Salomaa was president of the European Association for
Theoretical Computer Science
from 1979 until 1985.
including "Theory of Automata
"
(1969), "Formal Languages" (1973), "The Mathematical Theory of
L-Systems" (1980, with Grzegorz Rozenberg
),
"Jewels of Formal Language Theory" (1981)
"Public-Key Cryptography" (1990)
and "DNA Computing
" (1998, with Grzegorz Rozenberg
and Gheorghe Paun
).
With Rozenberg
, Salomaa edited "Handbook of Formal Languages" (1997), a
3-volume, 2000-page reference on formal language theory
.
These books have often become standard references in their respective areas.
For example, "Formal Languages" was reported in 1991 to be among the 100 most cited texts
in mathematics.
Salomaa has also published over 400 articles in scientific journals.
These publications include an article entitled
"What computer scientists should know about sauna"
.
by the
Academy of Finland
, one of twelve living Finnish
individuals awarded the title. He also received the EATCS Award in 2004.
Salomaa has received seven honorary degrees.
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
and
computer scientist
Computer scientist
A computer scientist is a scientist who has acquired knowledge of computer science, the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their application in computer systems....
. His research career, which spans over forty years,
is focused on formal languages and automata theory
Automata theory
In theoretical computer science, automata theory is the study of abstract machines and the computational problems that can be solved using these machines. These abstract machines are called automata...
.
A 2004 citation stated that
"Arto is without doubt the founder of automata and formal language theory
in Europe".
Early life and education
Salomaa was born in TurkuTurku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
on June 6, 1934.
He earned a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from University of Turku
University of Turku
The University of Turku , located in Turku in southwestern Finland, is the second largest university in the country as measured by student enrollment, after University of Helsinki. It was established in 1920 and also has faculties at Rauma, Pori and Salo...
in 1954
and a Ph.D from the same university in 1960. Salomaa's father
was a professor of philosophy at
the University of Turku
University of Turku
The University of Turku , located in Turku in southwestern Finland, is the second largest university in the country as measured by student enrollment, after University of Helsinki. It was established in 1920 and also has faculties at Rauma, Pori and Salo...
.
Salomaa was introduced to the theory of automata and formal languages
during seminars at Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
given by
John Myhill
John Myhill
John R. Myhill was a mathematician, born in 1923. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University under Willard Van Orman Quine in 1949. He was professor at SUNY Buffalo from 1966 until his death in 1987...
in 1957.
Career
In 1965, Salomaa became a professor of mathematics at the University of TurkuUniversity of Turku
The University of Turku , located in Turku in southwestern Finland, is the second largest university in the country as measured by student enrollment, after University of Helsinki. It was established in 1920 and also has faculties at Rauma, Pori and Salo...
,
a position he still holds.
He also spent two years in the late 1960s at the
University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
in London
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
,
Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and two years in the 1970s at the
University of Aarhus
University of Aarhus
Aarhus University , located in the city of Aarhus, Denmark, is Denmark's second oldest and second largest university...
in Aarhus
Aarhus
Aarhus or Århus is the second-largest city in Denmark. The principal port of Denmark, Aarhus is on the east side of the peninsula of Jutland in the geographical center of Denmark...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
.
Salomaa was president of the European Association for
Theoretical Computer Science
EATCS
The European Association for Theoretical Computer Science is an international organization with a European focus, founded in 1972...
from 1979 until 1985.
Publications
Salomaa has authored or co-authored 46 textbooks,including "Theory of Automata
Automata theory
In theoretical computer science, automata theory is the study of abstract machines and the computational problems that can be solved using these machines. These abstract machines are called automata...
"
(1969), "Formal Languages" (1973), "The Mathematical Theory of
L-Systems" (1980, with Grzegorz Rozenberg
Grzegorz Rozenberg
Grzegorz Rozenberg is a mathematician andcomputer scientist.His primary research areas areformal language theory and natural computing.-Early life and education:...
),
"Jewels of Formal Language Theory" (1981)
"Public-Key Cryptography" (1990)
and "DNA Computing
DNA computing
DNA computing is a form of computing which uses DNA, biochemistry and molecular biology, instead of the traditional silicon-based computer technologies. DNA computing, or, more generally, biomolecular computing, is a fast developing interdisciplinary area...
" (1998, with Grzegorz Rozenberg
Grzegorz Rozenberg
Grzegorz Rozenberg is a mathematician andcomputer scientist.His primary research areas areformal language theory and natural computing.-Early life and education:...
and Gheorghe Paun
Gheorghe Paun
Gheorghe Păun is a computer scientist from Romania, prominent for work on membrane computing and the P system.Păun studied mathematics at the University of Bucharest, obtaining an MSc. in 1974 and a PhD in 1977. He has been a researcher at the Institute of Mathematics of the Romanian Academy since...
).
With Rozenberg
Grzegorz Rozenberg
Grzegorz Rozenberg is a mathematician andcomputer scientist.His primary research areas areformal language theory and natural computing.-Early life and education:...
, Salomaa edited "Handbook of Formal Languages" (1997), a
3-volume, 2000-page reference on formal language theory
Formal language
A formal language is a set of words—that is, finite strings of letters, symbols, or tokens that are defined in the language. The set from which these letters are taken is the alphabet over which the language is defined. A formal language is often defined by means of a formal grammar...
.
These books have often become standard references in their respective areas.
For example, "Formal Languages" was reported in 1991 to be among the 100 most cited texts
in mathematics.
Salomaa has also published over 400 articles in scientific journals.
These publications include an article entitled
"What computer scientists should know about sauna"
.
Awards and recognition
Salomaa has been awarded the title of AcademicianAcademician
The title Academician denotes a Full Member of an art, literary, or scientific academy.In many countries, it is an honorary title. There also exists a lower-rank title, variously translated Corresponding Member or Associate Member, .-Eastern Europe and China:"Academician" may also be a functional...
by the
Academy of Finland
Academy of Finland
The Academy of Finland is a governmental funding body for scientific research in Finland. It is based in the Finnish capital, Helsinki. Yearly, the Academy administers over 260 million euros to Finnish research activities. Over 5,000 researchers are working on the projects supported by the academy...
, one of twelve living Finnish
individuals awarded the title. He also received the EATCS Award in 2004.
Salomaa has received seven honorary degrees.