alpha conversion

1 definition found

alpha conversion - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  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.
  
     (1995-05-10)