Lambda Calculus

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Lambda calculus is a universal/Turing-complete language specification invented by Alonzo Church, that is considered to be mathematically elegant, due to its small size. Almost all text-based formal languages are defined using Lambda calculus. To learn about its history, it is recommended to watch this video by Dana Scott[1].

Lambda Calculus and Abstract Syntax Tree

All decision making procedures can be represented into three major kinds of branching:

  1. Naming Abstraction: conversion
  2. Branching Abstraction: conversion
  3. Typing Abstraction: conversion

These three types also relate to the reason why Kan Extension is universal.


References

  1. Scott, Dana (Aug 24, 2012). Dana S. Scott Lambda Calculus, Then and Now. local page: princetonacademics. 

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