ar X iv : c s . G L / 0 60 80 62 v 1 1 5 A ug 2 00 6 Tarski ’ s influence on computer science

Alfred Tarski’s influence on computer science was indirect but significant in a number of directions and was in certain respects fundamental. Here surveyed is Tarski’s work on the decision procedure for algebra and geometry, the method of elimination of quantifiers, the semantics of formal languages, model-theoretic preservation theorems, and algebraic logic; various connections of each with computer science are taken up. The following is the text of an invited lecture for the LICS 2005 meeting held in Chicago June 26-29, 2005. Except for the addition of references, footnotes, corrections of a few points and stylistic changes, the text is essentially as delivered. Subsequent to the lecture I received interesting comments from several colleagues that would have led me to expand on some of the topics as well as the list of references, had I had the time to do so.