Dictionary    Maps    Thesaurus    Translate    Advanced >   


Tip: Click Thesaurus above for synonyms. Also, follow synonym links within the dictionary to find definitions from other sources.

1. The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018)
lambda abstraction

   A term in lambda-calculus denoting a function.  A lambda
   abstraction begins with a lower-case lambda (represented as
   "\" in this document), followed by a variable name (the "bound
   variable"), a full stop and a lambda expression (the body).
   The body is taken to extend as far to the right as possible
   so, for example an expression,

   	\ x . \ y . x+y

   is read as

   	\ x . (\ y . x+y).

   A nested abstraction such as this is often abbreviated to:

   	\ x y . x + y

   The lambda expression (\ v . E) denotes a function which takes
   an argument and returns the term E with all free occurrences
   of v replaced by the actual argument.  Application is
   represented by juxtaposition so

   	(\ x . x) 42

   represents the identity function applied to the constant 42.

   A lambda abstraction in Lisp is written as the symbol
   lambda, a list of zero or more variable names and a list of
   zero or more terms, e.g.

   	(lambda (x y) (plus x y))

   Lambda expressions in Haskell are written as a backslash,
   "\", one or more patterns (e.g. variable names), "->" and an
   expression, e.g. \ x -> x.

   (1995-01-24)


Common Misspellings >
Most Popular Searches: Define Misanthrope, Define Pulchritudinous, Define Happy, Define Veracity, Define Cornucopia, Define Almuerzo, Define Atresic, Define URL, Definitions Of Words, Definition Of Get Up, Definition Of Quid Pro Quo, Definition Of Irreconcilable Differences, Definition Of Word, Synonyms of Repetitive, Synonym Dictionary, Synonym Antonyms. See our main index and map index for more details.

©2011-2024 ZebraWords.com - Define Yourself - The Search for Meanings and Meaning Means I Mean. All content subject to terms and conditions as set out here. Contact Us, peruse our Privacy Policy