Formalized metatheory with terms represented by an indexed family of types

• It is possible to represent the terms of a syntax with binding constructors by a family of types, indexed by the free variables that may occur. This approach has been used several times for the study of syntax and substitution, but never for the formalization of the metatheory of a typing system. We describe a recent formalization of the metatheory of Pure Type Systems in Coq as an example of such a formalization. In general, careful thought is required as to how each definition and theorem should be stated, usually in an unfamiliar ‘big-step’ form; but, once the correct form has been found, the proofs are very elegant and direct.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Matematik -- Algebra och logik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Mathematics -- Algebra and Logic (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Datavetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Computer Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

type theory

syntax with binding

formalisation of mathematics

Publication and Content Type

kon (subject category)

ref (subject category)