A DFA recognizing my name

Question

How can I know if my DFA is implemented correctly? For example, I need to build a DFA, and then minimize it which will recognize my name. Language which describe my name is: L = {pustai, marius}

I came with this solution:

>(0)--p-->(1)--u-->(2)--s-->(3)--t-->(4)--a-->(5)--i-->(6)(goto state 0)
  |
 (7)--m-->(8)--a-->(9)--r-->(10)--i-->(11)--u-->(12)--s-->((13)) (final state)

How can I know if this is implemented correctly? And about minimization of this automate I think is impossible.

This is not a DFA since it seems one can go from state 0 to state 7 without any input, though it is close to a DFA. Also, it repeats your last name an arbitrary number of times (including zero), before going to your fist name. It does not correspond to your definition of L. — babou, Jun 30 '14 at 12:24

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

Write down all accepting paths, that is paths from the starting state to final states. These are all the words the given automaton can accept; if the set is the desired one, q.e.d.

This is only possible and a rigorous proof for (co-)finite languages. Once you have cycles you have to apply induction. See here for an in-depth explanation on how to do this for grammars; it's similar for automata.

A DFA recognizing my name

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