\begin{definition}[Definition:Computational Method]
A '''computational method''' is an ordered quadruple $\left({Q, I, \Omega, f}\right)$ in which:
: $Q$ is a set representing the '''states of the computation'''
: $I$ is a set representing the '''input to the computation'''
: $\Omega$ is a set representing the '''output from the computation'''
: $f: Q \to Q$ is a mapping representing the '''computational rule'''
subject to the following constraints:
: $I \subseteq Q$ and $\Omega \subseteq Q$
: $\forall x \in \Omega: f \left({x}\right) = x$
\end{definition}