English

Deciding equivalence with sums and the empty type

Programming Languages 2016-11-09 v3 Logic in Computer Science

Abstract

The logical technique of focusing can be applied to the λ\lambda-calculus; in a simple type system with atomic types and negative type formers (functions, products, the unit type), its normal forms coincide with βη\beta\eta-normal forms. Introducing a saturation phase gives a notion of quasi-normal forms in presence of positive types (sum types and the empty type). This rich structure let us prove the decidability of βη\beta\eta-equivalence in presence of the empty type, the fact that it coincides with contextual equivalence, and a finite model property.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1610.01213,
  title  = {Deciding equivalence with sums and the empty type},
  author = {Gabriel Scherer},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1610.01213},
  year   = {2016}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-22T16:10:48.307Z