Syntactic characterization of learnability of structures with mind changes

We study the learnability of classes of computable structures under models that allow finitely many mind changes. Extending classical notions of explanatory learning from informant and from text, we introduce new paradigms where the information source and the convergence requirements are modified. In particular, we define Δ 2 0 -learning, where each atomic fact may be presented with finitely many errors before stabilizing, and c.e.- and d.c.e.-learning , where information is restricted to positive atomic facts that may either never be retracted (c.e.) or be retracted at most once (d.c.e.). We provide syntactic characterizations for these notions: Δ 2 0 -learning coincides with definability by finite existential sentences, and c.e.-learning coincides with TxtEx-learning. For d.c.e.-learning we give partial characterization in restricted languages. Furthermore, for n -learning from informant, where learners are allowed at most n mind changes, we establish a complete syntactic characterization in terms of specific infinitary formulas of bounded depth.

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Journal
Information and Computation
Published
2025-11-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ic.2025.105381
Primary Topic
Machine Learning and Algorithms
Type
article
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article

Syntactic characterization of learnability of structures with mind changes

Steffen Lempp, Ekaterina Fokina
Information and Computation
Machine Learning and Algorithms
article

Syntactic characterization of learnability of structures with mind changes

Steffen Lempp, Ekaterina Fokina
article en

Abstract

We study the learnability of classes of computable structures under models that allow finitely many mind changes. Extending classical notions of explanatory learning from informant and from text, we introduce new paradigms where the information source and the convergence requirements are modified. In particular, we define Δ 2 0 -learning, where each atomic fact may be presented with finitely many errors before stabilizing, and c.e.- and d.c.e.-learning , where information is restricted to positive atomic facts that may either never be retracted (c.e.) or be retracted at most once (d.c.e.). We provide syntactic characterizations for these notions: Δ 2 0 -learning coincides with definability by finite existential sentences, and c.e.-learning coincides with TxtEx-learning. For d.c.e.-learning we give partial characterization in restricted languages. Furthermore, for n -learning from informant, where learners are allowed at most n mind changes, we establish a complete syntactic characterization in terms of specific infinitary formulas of bounded depth.

Information and ComputationVol. 307
University of Wisconsin–Madison (US), TU Wien (AT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 81%
Machine Learning and Algorithms
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Syntactic characterization of learnability of structures with mind changes — Steffen Lempp, Ekaterina Fokina · Information and Computation (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS