The book focuses on three related areas in the theory of computation. The areasare modern cryptography the study of probabilistic proof systems and thetheory of... » 

The book focuses on three related areas in the theory of computation. The areasare modern cryptography the study of probabilistic proof systems and thetheory of computational pseudorandomness. The common theme is the interplaybetween randomness and computation. The book offers an introduction andextensive survey to each of these areas presenting both the basic notions andthe most important sometimes advanced results. The presentation is focused onthe essentials and does not elaborate on details. In some cases it offers anovel and illuminating perspective. The reader may obtain from the book 1. Aclear view of what each of these areas is all above. 2. Knowledge of the basicimportant notions and results in each area. 3. New insights into each of theseareas. It is believed that the book may thus be useful both to a beginner whohas only some background in the theory of computing and an expert in any ofthese areas. TOCPreface. Chapter 1 The Foundations of Modern Cryptography.Chapter 2 Probabilistic Proof Systems. Chapter 3 Pseudorandom Generators.Appendix A Background on Randomness and Computation. Appendix B RandomizedComputations. Appendix C Notes on two proofs. Appendix D Related Surveys bythe Author. Bibliography. «