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Remarks on the equational theory of non-normalizing pure type systems.

Authors :
GILLES BARTHE
THIERRY COQUAND
Source :
Journal of Functional Programming; Mar2006, Vol. 16 Issue 2, p137-155, 19p
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

Pure Type Systems (PTS) come in two flavours: domain-free systems with untyped $\lambda$-abstractions (i.e. of the form $\lambda{x}.{M}$); and domain-free systems with typed $\lambda$-abstractions (i.e. of the form $\lambda{x}{A}{M}$). Both flavours of systems are related by an erasure function $\er{.}$ that removes types from $\lambda$-abstractions. Preservation of Equational Theory, which states the equational theories of both systems coincide through the erasure function, is a property of functional and normalizing PTSs. In this paper we establish that Preservation of Equational Theory fails for some non-normalizing PTSs, including the PTS with $\ast:\ast$. The gist of our argument is to exhibit a typable expression $Y_H$ whose erasure $\er{Y}$ is a fixpoint combinator, but which is not a fixpoint combinator itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09567968
Volume :
16
Issue :
2
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Functional Programming
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
19576809