We study a model of computation where executing a program on an input corresponds to calculating a product in a finite monoid. We show that in this model, the subsets of {0,1}^n that can be recognized by nilpotent groups have exponential cardinality.

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We propose an information-theoretic approach to proving lower
bounds on the size of branching programs. The argument is based on
Kraft-McMillan type inequalities for the average amount of
uncertainty about (or entropy of) a given input during the various
stages of computation. The uncertainty is measured by the average
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A model for parallel and distributed programs, the dynamic process graph (DPG),
is investigated under graph-theoretic and complexity aspects.
Such graphs embed constructors for parallel programs,
synchronization mechanisms as well as conditional branches.
They are capable of representing all possible executions of a
parallel or distributed program ... more >>>