This text is both an introduction to and a study of finite symmetric inverse semigroups. The book presents much of the material on the theory of finite symmetric inverse semigroups, unifying the classical finite symmetric group theory with its semigroup analogue. A comment section at the end of each chapter provides new historical perspective.

With over 60 figures, tables, and diagrams, this text is both an intuitive introduction to and a rigorous study of finite symmetric inverse semigroups. The book presents much of the material on the theory of finite symmetric inverse semigroups, unifying the classical finite symmetric group theory with its semigroup analogue. A comment section at the end of each chapter provides new historical perspective. New proofs, new theorems and the use of multiple figures, tables, and diagrams to present complex ideas make this book current and highly readable.

"this volume represents an outstanding contribution to the field. The resolute graduate student or mature researcher, alike, can find a wealth of directions for future work".Mathematical Reviews

Semigroups is a collection of papers dealing with models of classical statistics, sequential computing machine, inverse semi-groups. One paper explains the structure of inverse semigroups that leads to P-semigroups or E-unitary inverse semigroups by utilizing the P-theorem of W.D. Nunn. Other papers explain the characterization of divisibility in the category of sets in terms of images and relations, as well as the universal aspects of completely simple semigroups, including amalgamation, the lattice of varieties, and the Hopf property. Another paper explains finite semigroups which are extensions of congruence-free semigroups, where their set of congruences forms a chain. The paper then shows how to construct such semigroups. A finite semigroup (which is decomposable into a direct product of cyclic semigroups which are not groups) is actually uniquely decomposable. One paper points out when a finite semigroup has such a decomposition, and how its non-group cyclic direct factors, if any, can be found. The collection can prove useful for mathematicians, statisticians, students, and professors of higher mathematics or computer science.

This first text on the subject provides a comprehensive introduction to the representation theory of finite monoids. Carefully worked examples and exercises provide the bells and whistles for graduate accessibility, bringing a broad range of advanced readers to the forefront of research in the area. Highlights of the text include applications to probability theory, symbolic dynamics, and automata theory. Comfort with module theory, a familiarity with ordinary group representation theory, and the basics of Wedderburn theory, are prerequisites for advanced graduate level study. Researchers in algebra, algebraic combinatorics, automata theory, and probability theory, will find this text enriching with its thorough presentation of applications of the theory to these fields. Prior knowledge of semigroup theory is not expected for the diverse readership that may benefit from this exposition. The approach taken in this book is highly module-theoretic and follows the modern flavor of the theory of finite dimensional algebras. The content is divided into 7 parts. Part I consists of 3 preliminary chapters with no prior knowledge beyond group theory assumed. Part II forms the core of the material giving a modern module-theoretic treatment of the Clifford –Munn–Ponizovskii theory of irreducible representations. Part III concerns character theory and the character table of a monoid. Part IV is devoted to the representation theory of inverse monoids and categories and Part V presents the theory of the Rhodes radical with applications to triangularizability. Part VI features 3 chapters devoted to applications to diverse areas of mathematics and forms a high point of the text. The last part, Part VII, is concerned with advanced topics. There are also 3 appendices reviewing finite dimensional algebras, group representation theory, and Möbius inversion.