Theoretical Computer Science is mathematical and abstract in spirit, but it derives its motivation from practical and everyday computation. Its aim is to understand the nature of computation and, as a consequence of this understanding, provide more efficient methodologies. All papers introducing or studying mathematical, logic and formal concepts and methods are welcome, provided that their motivation is clearly drawn from the field of computing.

Any queries about submissions and peer review should be addressed to the TCS editorial office: tcs@elsevier.com.

Papers published in Theoretical Computer Science are grouped in three sections according to their nature. The first section `Algorithms, automata, complexity and games' is devoted to the study of algorithms and their complexity using analytical, combinatorial or probabilistic methods. It includes the whole field of abstract complexity (i.e. all the results about the hierarchies that can be defined using Turing machines), the whole field of automata and language theory (including automata on infinite words and infinitary languages), the whole field of geometrical (graphic) applications and the whole field of measurement of system performance using statistical methods.

The second section,`Logic, semantics and theory of programming', is devoted to formal methods to check properties of programs or implement formally described languages; it contains all papers dealing with semantics of sequential and parallel programming languages. All formal methods treating these problems are published in this section, including rewriting techniques, abstract data types, automatic theorem proving, calculi such as SCP or CCS, Petri nets, new logic calculi and developments in categorical methods.

The third section, 'Natural Computing', is devoted to the study of computing occurring in nature and computing inspired by nature. In the rapidly evolving field of computer science, natural computing plays an important role as the catalyst for the synergy of human designed computing with the computing going on in nature. This synergy leads to a deeper and broader understanding of the nature of computation. Although natural computing is concerned also with experiments and applications, this section of Theoretical Computer Science is focused on the theoretical aspects of natural computing with clear relevance to computing. Among others, it will contain papers dealing with the theoretical issues in evolutionary computing, neural networks, molecular computing, and quantum computing.

Theoretical Computer Science will now publish high-quality advanced introductions. Advanced introductions, which are by invitation only, should cover a focused topic within the scope of TCS at a level that would be appropriate for a scientist who is new to the topic and wishes to gain an up-to-date understanding. Articles should be self-contained, including motivation and basic definitions, and proceed to advanced material and/or open problems which may - but need not - include new results. Sufficient references should be given to provide the reader with entry points to the research literature on the topic as well as the origins of the main ideas. Submissions will go through the standard review process of TCS.

Special Issue on Novel Application of Quantum Structures Across Disciplinary Boundaries
Submission Date: 2024-12-31

Guest editors:

Prof. Diederik Aerts, PhD

Center Leo Apostel for Interdisciplinary Studies (CLEA, Free University of Brussels, Belgium)Areas of Expertise: Quantum theory, cognition, information science, philosophy of science

Prof. Emmanuel Haven, PhD

Faculty of Business Administration and Centre CQSCS, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), Saint John’s (Canada)Areas of Expertise: Quantum formalisms in social science, information modelling in economics

Prof. Sonja Smets, PhD

University of Amsterdam and Centre ILLC (The Netherlands)Areas of Expertise: Logical Foundations of quantum mechanics, (non classical) Logic and Espistemology

Prof. Sandro Sozzo, PhD

Department of Humanities and Cultural Heritage (DIUM) and Centre CQSCS, University of Udine,  (Italy)Areas of Expertise: quantum mechanics, cognitive modelling, information retrieval

Special issue information:

A growing body of theoretical and empirical research reveals that quantum structures, as contextuality, emergence, entanglement, indistinguishability, interference, and superposition, also manifest themselves in other domains than micro-physics, which include, in particular, cognition (human probability and similarity judgements, decision-making, language and perception), socio-economic domains (behavioural economics and finance) and information systems (computer science and artificial intelligence), in situations where empirical data differs from the predictions of classical (Boolean) logical and (Kolmogorovian) probabilistic structures. In this special issue, we intend to deepen and extend the state-of-the-art of the discipline, focusing on the identification of quantum structures in computing and information science, in particular, information retrieval, natural language processing and computational linguistics, with relevant applications to artificial intelligence. The special issue is, in content, suitable for theoretical computer scientists, but also for applied physicists, mathematicians and philosophers of computation. It also perfectly fits the scopes of the TCS journal.”

Manuscript submission information:

Authors should submit their manuscripts to the Theoretical Computer Science Editorial System (EM) at https://www.editorialmanager.com/tcs/default2.aspx , and select "VSI: Quantum Across Boundaries” when they reach the “Article Type” step in the submission process.

General information for submitting papers to TCS can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/journals/theoretical-computer-science/0304-3975/guide-for-authors .

Submission deadline: 31st December 2024