README.md

lambda_calculus

lambda_calculus is a simple, zero-dependency implementation of pure lambda calculus in Safe Rust.

Features

• a parser for lambda expressions, both in classic and De Bruijn index notation
• 7 β-reduction strategies
• a set of standard terms (combinators)
• lambda-encoded boolean, pair, tuple, option and result data types
• single-pair-encoded list
• Church-, Scott- and Parigot-encoded numerals and lists
• Stump-Fu (embedded iterators)- and binary-encoded numerals
• signed numbers

Installation

Include the library by adding the following to your Cargo.toml:

[dependencies]
lambda_calculus = "3"

Compilation features:

• backslash_lambda: changes the display of lambdas from λ to \
• encoding: builds the data encoding modules; default feature

Example feature setup in Cargo.toml:

[dependencies.lambda_calculus]
version = "3"
default-features = false # do not build the data encoding modules
features = ["backslash_lambda"] # use a backslash lambda

Examples

Comparing classic and De Bruijn index notation

code:

use lambda_calculus::data::num::church::{succ, pred};

fn main() {
    println!("SUCC := {0} = {0:?}", succ());
    println!("PRED := {0} = {0:?}", pred());
}

stdout:

SUCC := λa.λb.λc.b (a b c) = λλλ2(321)
PRED := λa.λb.λc.a (λd.λe.e (d b)) (λd.c) (λd.d) = λλλ3(λλ1(24))(λ2)(λ1)

Parsing lambda expressions

code:

use lambda_calculus::*;

fn main() {
    assert_eq!(
        parse(&"λa.λb.λc.b (a b c)", Classic),
        parse(&"λλλ2(321)", DeBruijn)
    );
}

Showing β-reduction steps

code:

use lambda_calculus::*;
use lambda_calculus::data::num::church::pred;

fn main() {
    let mut expr = app!(pred(), 1.into_church());

    println!("{} order β-reduction steps for PRED 1 are:", NOR);

    println!("{}", expr);
    while expr.reduce(NOR, 1) != 0 {
        println!("{}", expr);
    }
}

stdout:

normal order β-reduction steps for PRED 1 are:
(λa.λb.λc.a (λd.λe.e (d b)) (λd.c) (λd.d)) (λa.λb.a b)
λa.λb.(λc.λd.c d) (λc.λd.d (c a)) (λc.b) (λc.c)
λa.λb.(λc.(λd.λe.e (d a)) c) (λc.b) (λc.c)
λa.λb.(λc.λd.d (c a)) (λc.b) (λc.c)
λa.λb.(λc.c ((λd.b) a)) (λc.c)
λa.λb.(λc.c) ((λc.b) a)
λa.λb.(λc.b) a
λa.λb.b

Comparing the number of steps for different reduction strategies

code:

use lambda_calculus::*;
use lambda_calculus::data::num::church::fac;

fn main() {
    let expr = app(fac(), 3.into_church());

    println!("comparing normalizing orders' reduction step count for FAC 3:");
    for &order in [NOR, APP, HNO, HAP].iter() {
        println!("{}: {}", order, expr.clone().reduce(order, 0));
    }
}

stdout:

comparing normalizing orders' reduction step count for FAC 3:
normal: 46
applicative: 39
hybrid normal: 46
hybrid applicative: 39

Comparing different numeral encodings

code:

use lambda_calculus::*;

fn main() {
    println!("comparing different encodings of number 3 (De Bruijn indices):");
    println!("  Church encoding: {:?}", 3.into_church());
    println!("   Scott encoding: {:?}", 3.into_scott());
    println!(" Parigot encoding: {:?}", 3.into_parigot());
    println!("Stump-Fu encoding: {:?}", 3.into_stumpfu());
    println!("  binary encoding: {:?}", 3.into_binary());
}

stdout:

comparing different encodings of number 3 (De Bruijn indices):
  Church encoding: λλ2(2(21))
   Scott encoding: λλ1(λλ1(λλ1(λλ2)))
 Parigot encoding: λλ2(λλ2(λλ2(λλ1)1)(2(λλ1)1))(2(λλ2(λλ1)1)(2(λλ1)1))
Stump-Fu encoding: λλ2(λλ2(2(21)))(λλ2(λλ2(21))(λλ2(λλ21)(λλ1)))
  binary encoding: λλλ1(13)