Lambda abstraction
A
lambda abstraction is an abstract lambda expression. It is expressed in the language of
lambda calculus. A lambda abstraction is to a
functional programming language such as
Scheme what pseudo-code is to an
imperative programming language.
More specifically, a lambda abstraction is a lambda expression with no free variables: each its variables is bound by some lambda. E.g.
- f (f (f x))
is a concrete lambda expression, whereas
- λf. λx. f (f (f x))
is an abstract lambda expression.
For example, λ could stand for 'for each', 'for some', or 'there is'. In this case, the expression could stand for a 'logic proposition'.