alpha conversion

<theory>

In lambda-calculus and reduction, the renaming of a formal parameter in a lambda abstraction. This does not change the meaning of the abstraction. For example: 

 \ x . x+1  <-->  \ y . y+1
If the actual argument to a lambda abstraction contains instances of the abstraction's formal parameter then it is necessary to rename the parameter before applying the abstraction to avoid name capture.

Last updated: 1995-05-10

Nearby terms:

alpha/beta pruning ♦ alphabetic language ♦ alpha conversion ♦ Alpha EV6 ♦ Alpha Geek

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