In this paper, we define k-counting automata as recognizers forω-languages, i.e. languages of infinite words. Weprove that the class of ω-languages they recognize is a proper extensionof the ω-regular languages. In addition we prove that languagesrecognized by k-counting automata are closed under Boolean operations. Itremains an open problem whether or not emptiness is decidable fork-counting automata. However, we conjecture strongly that it is decidableand give formal reasons why we believe so.

The algebraic counterpart of the Wagner hierarchy consists of a well-founded and decidable classification of finite pointed ω-semigroups of width 2 and height ωω. This paper completes the description of this algebraic hierarchy. We first give a purely algebraic decidability procedure of this partial ordering by introducing a graph representation of finite pointed ω-semigroups allowing to compute their precise Wagner degrees. The Wagner degree of any ω-rational language can therefore be computed directly on its syntactic image. We then show how to build a finite pointed ω-semigroup of any given Wagner degree. We finally describe the algebraic invariants characterizing every degree of this hierarchy.

The algebraic study of formal languages shows that ω-rational sets correspond precisely to the ω-languages recognizable by finite ω-semigroups. Within this framework, we provide a construction of the algebraic counterpart of the Wagner hierarchy. We adopt a hierarchical game approach, by translating the Wadge theory from the ω-rational language to the ω-semigroup context. More precisely, we first show that the Wagner degree is indeed a syntactic invariant. We then define a reduction relation on finite pointed ω-semigroups by means of a Wadge-like infinite two-player game. The collection of these algebraic structures ordered by this reduction is then proven to be isomorphic to the Wagner hierarchy, namely a well-founded and decidable partial ordering of width 2 and height ωω.