Function algebras on finite sets: a basic course on many-valued logic and clone theory

Dietlinde Lau9783540360223, 3-540-36022-0

Functions which are defined on finite sets occur in almost all fields of mathematics. For more than 80 years algebras whose universes are such functions (so-called function algebras), have been intensively studied.This book gives a broad introduction to the theory of function algebras and leads to the cutting edge of research. To familiarize the reader from the very beginning on with the algebraic side of function algebras the more general concepts of the Universal Algebra is given in the first part of the book. The second part on fuction algebras covers the following topics: Galois-connection between function algebras and relation algebras, completeness criterions, clone theory.This book is an insdispensible source on function algebras for graduate students and researchers in mathematical logic and theoretical computer science.