Abstract Syntax and Variable Binding

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0100

In which we discuss Fiore, Plotkin, and Turi’s theory of abstract syntax. Upon request, the session will be hosted as a hybrid event.

Material

The material to be read before the meeting is Marcelo Fiore, Gordon Plotkin, and Daniele Turi. 1999. Abstract Syntax and Variable Binding. In Proceedings of the 14th Annual IEEE Symposium on Logic in Computer Science (LICS ‘99). IEEE Computer Society, USA, 193..

Abstract

We develop a theory of abstract syntax with variable binding. To every binding signature we associate a cat- egory of models consisting of variable sets endowed with compatible algebra and substitution structures. The syntax generated by the signature is the initial model. This gives a notion of initial algebra semantics encompassing the tradi- tional one; besides compositionality, it automatically veri- fies the semantic substitution lemma.

Variable Bindings on PLSL

Abstract Syntax and Variable Binding

Material

Abstract