alpha conversion

English

Noun

alpha conversion (countable and uncountable, plural alpha conversions)

1. (computing theory) One of the three rewrite rules of lambda calculus, in which a bound variable of a lambda term is replaced by another variable across its entire scope. So if there is a lambda term of the form $(\lambda x.t)$ and it is desired to have x replaced with y, then the rewritten lambda term would have the form $(\lambda y.t[y/x])$ where $t[y/x]$, "t with y instead of x", has had all free instances of x in t replaced with y.

Coordinate terms

• beta reduction
• eta conversion