beta abstraction

beta abstraction

[lambda-calculus] The conversion of an expression to anapplication of a lambda abstraction to an argumentexpression. Some subterm of the original expression becomesthe argument of the abstraction and the rest becomes itsbody. E.g.

4+1 --> (\\ x . x+1) 4

The opposite of beta abstraction is beta reduction. Theseare the two kinds of beta conversion.