What is Turing completeness?

  • Join  Lenovo Pro Business Store

    Log In / Sign Up

    Learn More

    Community


  • Accessibility
  • Sales:

    Home:

    1-855-253-6686

    Business:

    1-866-426-0911

    Chat Now >

    Visit Sales Support Page >


    Order Support:

    Order Lookup >

    Visit Order Support Page >

    Technical Support >

Lenovo
All
  • All
  • Laptops
  • Desktops
  • Workstations
  • Monitors
  • PC Accessories & Electronics
  • Tablets
  • Servers & Storage
  • Servers Accessories
  • Sign In / Create Account
    My Lenovo Account
    Keep track of your wishlist, orders, and rewards all in one place
    Sign In / Create Account
    Welcome Back!
    Access your order, subscriptions, saved carts, rewards balance, and profile
    View My Account
    Orders
    View & track your orders
    Rewards
    Earn & redeem Rewards
    Profile
    Edit name, password, and account settings
    Wishlist
    Manage a wishlist of your favorite products
    Products
    Manage your devices, accessories
    Product Registration
    Register your product and/or update your warranty dates
    Lenovo Family Hub
    Manage your family's orders all in one place
    Sign Out
  • My Lenovo Rewards
  • Cart
  • Products
  • Solutions
  • Services
  • Support
  • About Lenovo
  • Deals
  • Business
  • Student
  • Gaming
  • AI
  • Digital Workplace
  • Hybrid Cloud
  • Edge
  • Sustainability
  • TruScale
  • Solutions by Industry
  • Alliance Partners
  • Other Solutions
  • Resources
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
DISCONTINUED
Temporary Unavailable
Cooming Soon!
. Additional units will be charged at the non-eCoupon price. Purchase additional now
We're sorry, the maximum quantity you are able to buy at this amazing eCoupon price is
Sign in or Create an Account to Save Your Cart!
Sign in or Create an Account to Join Rewards
Temporarilyunavailable
Discontinued
comingsoon
View Cart
Remove
minicart_error_please_view
Your cart is empty! Don’t miss out on the latest products and savings — find your next favorite laptop, PC, or accessory today.
item(s) in cart
Some items in your cart are no longer available. Please visit cart for more details.
has been deleted
Please review your cart as items have changed.
of
Contains Add-ons
Subtotal
Proceed to Checkout
Yes
No
Popular Searches
What are you looking for today ?
Trending
Recent Searches
Items
All
Cancel
Top Suggestions
View All >
Starting at
  • Black Friday in July! Limited-time Doorbusters + Buy more, Save more!  Shop Now >

  • Buy online, pick up select products at Best Buy. Shop Pick Up >

  • My Lenovo Rewards! Earn 3%-9% in rewards and get free expedited delivery on select products. Join for Free >

  • Shopping for a business? New Lenovo Pro members get $100 off first order of $1,000+, exclusive savings & 1:1 tech support. Learn More >

  • Lease-to-own today with Katapult. Get started with an initial lease payment as low as $1! * Learn More >

Home > Glossary > What is Turing completeness?
Glossary Hero
Learn More
StarStar

Annual Sale

Lenovo Laptop SaleLenovo Laptop Sale

Laptop Deals

Desktop DealsDesktop Deals

Desktop Deals

Workstation DealsWorkstation Deals

Workstation Deals

StoreStore

Pick Up Today at Best Buy

ControllerController

Gaming PC & Accessory Deals

MouseMouse

PC Accessories & Electronics Deals

MonitorMonitor

Monitor Deals

Tablet and phoneTablet and phone

Tablets & Phones Deals

ServerServer

Server & Storage Deals

Discount tagDiscount tag

Clearance Sale


What is Turing completeness?

Turing completeness refers to a property of a system or programming language that is capable of performing any computation that can be computed by a Turing machine. A Turing machine is an abstract mathematical concept, considered the foundation of modern computers. Being Turing complete means that a system or language has the ability to simulate any other computational device or algorithm.

Is Turing completeness limited to specific programming languages?

No, Turing completeness is not limited to specific programming languages. In theory, any language or system that can perform the operations required by a Turing machine can be considered Turing complete. This means that a wide range of programming languages, including popular ones like Python, Java, and C++, are Turing complete.

How can Turing completeness be defined in simpler terms?

Think of Turing completeness as having all the necessary tools to solve any problem that can be solved using a computer. It's like having a complete toolbox with all the tools you need to fix anything around the house. Just as that toolbox allows you to tackle any repair job, Turing completeness allows a system or programming language to handle any computation or algorithmic task.

Why is Turing completeness important in computing?

Turing completeness is a fundamental concept in computing because it defines the capabilities of a system or programming language. Being Turing complete means that a system has the ability to handle any computation, making it versatile and powerful. This property allows programmers to express complex ideas, solve intricate problems, and build sophisticated software applications.

Is Turing completeness a measure of computational power?

Turing completeness is not a direct measure of computational power. It simply indicates that a system or language has all the necessary features to perform any computation. However, there are other factors that determine the actual computational power of a system, such as processing speed, memory capacity, and parallel processing capabilities.

Can a non-Turing complete system be useful for certain tasks?

Yes, non-Turing complete systems can still be useful for specific tasks. Some programming languages or systems intentionally limit their capabilities to ensure safety or efficiency in certain domains. For example, domain-specific languages (DSLs) are often designed for specific industries or applications, sacrificing general-purpose computing capabilities for specialized functionality.

Is there a relationship between Turing completeness and artificial intelligence (AI)?

Yes, there is a relationship between Turing completeness and AI. Turing complete systems provide the computational power required for developing and implementing AI algorithms. AI often involves complex calculations, pattern recognition, decision-making processes, and learning algorithms, all of which can be implemented using Turing complete systems.

How does Turing completeness relate to blockchain technology?

Turing completeness is relevant to blockchain technology, especially when it comes to smart contracts. Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with predefined rules encoded into them. Some blockchain platforms, such as Ethereum, support Turing complete smart contracts, allowing developers to implement complex logic and computations directly on the blockchain.

What does it mean by Church-Turing thesis?

The Church-Turing thesis states that any effectively calculable function can be computed by a Turing machine. In other words, if a computation can be performed by any method or algorithm, it can also be simulated by a Turing machine. The Church-Turing thesis is a fundamental concept in computer science and forms the basis for understanding the limits of computability.

Is Turing completeness a measure of intelligence?

No, Turing completeness is not a measure of intelligence. It simply refers to the computational capabilities of a system or programming language. Intelligence, on the other hand, encompasses a wide range of cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, learning, reasoning, and creativity, which extend beyond mere computational power.

Is the internet Turing complete?

No, the internet itself is not Turing complete. However, it provides a platform for running Turing complete programs or systems, such as web servers or distributed computing frameworks.

Is Turing completeness a requirement for all programming languages?

No, Turing completeness is not a strict requirement for all programming languages. Some specialized programming languages or domain-specific languages may intentionally limit their computational capabilities to improve efficiency or security.

Can a system be Turing complete without conditional statements?

No, conditional statements (such as if-else statements) are a fundamental requirement for Turing completeness. They allow for decision-making and branching, which are essential for performing arbitrary computations.

Can a Turing complete system violate the laws of physics?

No, Turing completeness is a property defined within the realm of computational systems, and it does not imply the violation of physical laws. Turing complete systems are bound by the constraints and limitations imposed by the underlying hardware or physics.

Is a quantum Turing machine more powerful than a classical Turing machine?

No, a quantum Turing machine is not more powerful than a classical Turing machine in terms of computational capabilities. While quantum computers may offer advantages for certain types of problems, they are still bound by the limits of Turing completeness.

Can a non-deterministic Turing machine be more powerful than a deterministic Turing machine?

No, a non-deterministic Turing machine is not more powerful than a deterministic Turing machine in terms of computational capabilities. While non-determinism allows for multiple choices or transitions, it does not exceed the computational power of a deterministic machine.

Can a web browser be considered Turing complete?

Yes, a web browser can be considered Turing complete. With the use of JavaScript or other scripting languages, web browsers provide the necessary computational capabilities to perform arbitrary computations.

Is there a Turing complete language designed specifically for quantum computing?

Yes, there are programming languages designed specifically for quantum computing, such as Q# (Q-sharp) developed by Microsoft. These languages provide abstractions and constructs tailored for quantum algorithms and simulations.

Can a non-computable problem be solved using a Turing complete system?

No, a non-computable problem cannot be solved using any Turing complete system. Non-computable problems are those that lack an algorithmic solution, and no Turing complete system can overcome this fundamental limitation.

Can a Turing complete system simulate real-world physics with perfect accuracy?

No, even though Turing complete systems can simulate physical phenomena, achieving perfect accuracy in simulating real-world physics is practically impossible.

Looking for a Great Deal?
Shop Lenovo.com for great deals on A+ Education PCs, Accessories, Bundles and more.
Shop Deals Now

  • Legion 7i Gen 9 (16″ Intel) Gaming Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,699.99
    Learn More
  • ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition (15ʺ Intel) Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,195.92
    Learn More
  • Yoga Book 9i (13” Intel)
    Starting at
    $1,999.99
    Learn More
  • Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14″ Intel) Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,439.99
    Learn More
  • ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 (16″ Intel) Mobile Workstation
    Starting at
    $1,991.17
    Learn More
  • Shop
    • Student Deals
    • K-12 Student Laptops
    • Student Accessories
    • Laptops by Major
    Education resource
    Explore
    • What is STEM?
    • Best Laptops for College
    • Student & Teacher Discounts
    • Lenovo Sustainability Programs
    Education carry case

    Stem Articles
    See All STEM Articles
    • Online STEM Education

    • STEM Career Tips & Resources

    • Women in STEM

    • STEM Educator Training

    • STEM Grants & Funding

    • STEM Education: Coding for Kids

    • STEM Education: Robotics

    • STEM Education: Biotechnology

    • STEM Education: Sustainability

    • STEM Education: AI & ML

    While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this glossary is provided for reference purposes only and may contain errors or inaccuracies. It serves as a general resource for understanding commonly used terms and concepts. For precise information or assistance regarding our products, we recommend visiting our dedicated support site, where our team is readily available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

    Why Lenovo?

    Go Greener with Leno...

    Lenovo is committed to Smarter Climate Action with lower energy laptops, use of sustainable materials and packaging, and available CO2 Offset Services.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Get It Now, Pay For ...

    Lenovo has multiple financing option: the Lenovo Credit Card, installment plans, and lease-to-own financing op...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Productivity & Peace of Mind

    Stay productive with Premium Care Plus - 24/7 priority support and coverage against accidental damage. Power through your day with our Smart Performance and extended battery solutions.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Fast & Secure

    Get the most from your laptop with Lenovo’s state-of-the-art Smart Performance, delivering powerful, all-in-on...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Assistance and Suppo...

    Chat with a trained professional who can help you find the right products, place or check on an order, or setup your Education laptop.
    Contact Us
    pastel background
    Enter email to receive Lenovo marketing and promotional emails. Review our Privacy Statement for more details.
    Please enter the correct email address!
    Email address is required
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Instagram
    Select Country / Region:
    Country
    AndroidIOS

    About Lenovo

    • Our Company
    • News
    • Investors Relations
    • Compliance
    • ESG
    • Product Recycling
    • Product Security
    • Product Recalls
    • Executive Briefing Center
    • Lenovo Cares
    • Careers
    • Formula 1 Partnership

    Products & Services

    • Laptops & Ultrabooks
    • Smarter AI for You
    • Desktop Computers
    • Workstations
    • Gaming
    • Tablets
    • Servers, Storage, & Networking
    • Accessories & Software
    • Services & Warranty
    • Product FAQs
    • Outlet
    • Deals
    • Lenovo Coupons
    • Cloud Security Software
    • Windows 11 Upgrade

    Shop By Industry

    • Small Business Solutions
    • Large Enterprise Solutions
    • Government Solutions
    • Healthcare Solutions
    • Higher Education Solutions
    • Education Discounts
    • Discount Programs

    Resources

    • Legion Gaming Community
    • Lenovo EDU Community
    • Lenovo Pro Community
    • Lenovo Pro for Business
    • My Lenovo Rewards
    • Lenovo Financing
    • Lenovo Trade-in
    • Customer Discounts
    • Affiliate Program
    • Affinity Program
    • Employee Purchase Program
    • Lenovo Partner Hub
    • Laptop Buying Guide
    • Where to Buy
    • Glossary

    Customer Support

    • Contact Us
    • Policy FAQs
    • Return Policy
    • Shipping Information
    • Order Lookup
    • Register a Product
    • Replacement Parts
    • Technical Support
    • Forums
    • Provide Feedback
    © 2025 Lenovo. All rights reserved.
    PrivacyCookie Consent ToolDo Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationU.S. Privacy NoticeSite MapTerms of UseExternal Submission PolicySales terms and conditionsAnti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
    Compare  ()
    removeAll x
    Call

    Need Help? Call: 

    1-855-253-6686
    Select Your Store
    Add items to your cart?
    We've noticed that you've entered a different store. Do you want to add these items to your cart in the new store?
    No Yes. Add in Lenovo Pro