Definition talk:Turing Machine

I've seen definitions like the one here in a few books, and it gets across the idea, but we might additionally want a more formal definition on this page that matches up with the description here. I'm bringing this up because the new Existence_of_Uncomputable_Functions page's proof is apparently hoping to link to a result that will essentially be a redefinition of Turing Machines that makes that proof easier.

So, question: do we want a formal definition on this page, or (in view of the fact that there's lots of things which are essentially equivalent to turing machines and could be called by the same name) do we want to have separate pages formally defining objects and justifying using them when we say "Turing machine" by verifying that they fit the informal description here?

Also, I feel like I should question the use of the word "algorithm(ic)" in the definition of a Turing machine (even informal), since part of the point of studying them is to get a formalized idea and understanding of algorithms. :D

-- Qedetc 17:57, 15 June 2011 (CDT)