On the structure of \(C\)-algebras through atomicity and \texttt{if-then-else} (Q2310439)

The three-valued logic proposed by McCarthy models the short-circuit evaluation exhibited by programming languages that evaluate expressions in sequentional order. \textit{F. Guzmán} and \textit{C. C. Squier} [Algebra Univers. 27, No. 1, 88--110 (1990; Zbl 0701.03035)] gave a complete axiomatization of McCarthy's three-valued logic and called the corresponding algebra the algebra of conditional logic or a \(C\)-algebra, in brief. While studying ``if-then-else'' algebras, Manes defined an algebra of disjoint alternatives which is a \(C\)-algebra equipped with an oracle of halting problem. In the present paper, the authors present some necessary and some sufficient conditions for atomicity of \(C\)-algebras and show that the class of atomic \(C\)-algebras coincide with the class of algebras of disjoint alternatives.