notebook/notes/programming/ars.md

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---
title: Abstract Rewriting Systems
TARGET DECK: Obsidian::STEM
FILE TAGS: ars
tags:
- ars
---
## Overview
In an **abstract rewriting system** (ARS), an object is said to be in **normal form** if it cannot be rewritten any further, i.e. it is irreducible. An object is said to be in **canonical form** if it is presented in the "standard" representation (where "standard" is defined per field).
In most fields, a canoncial form specifies a *unique* representation.
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Basic
What is ARS an acronym for?
Back: **A**bstract **R**ewriting **S**ystem.
Reference: “Normal Form,” in _Wikipedia_, April 27, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Normal_form](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Normal_form_(abstract_rewriting)&oldid=1221094193).
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Basic
Canonical/normal forms are associated with what general class of abstract systems?
Back: Abstract rewriting systems.
Reference: “Canonical Form,” in _Wikipedia_, January 7, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canonical_form](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canonical_form&oldid=1194093963).
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What does it mean for an object to be in normal form?
Back: It cannot be rewritten any further, i.e. it is irreducible.
Reference: Normal Form,” in _Wikipedia_, April 27, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Normal_form](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Normal_form_(abstract_rewriting)&oldid=1221094193).
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Basic
What does it mean for an object to be in canonical form?
Back: It is presented in the "standard" way with respect to the field its presented in.
Reference: “Canonical Form,” in _Wikipedia_, January 7, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canonical_form](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canonical_form&oldid=1194093963).
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What two assumptions are usually associated with an object in canonical form?
Back: It is as simply represented as possible and it is uniquely identifying.
Reference: “Canonical Form,” in _Wikipedia_, January 7, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canonical_form](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canonical_form&oldid=1194093963).
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How do "canonical" and "normal" forms differ in most fields?
Back: The former usually specifies a unique representation for the object.
Reference: “Canonical Form,” in _Wikipedia_, January 7, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canonical_form](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canonical_form&oldid=1194093963).
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## Confluence
**Confluence** is the property by which two different terms can be further reduced to one common term. That is to say, confluence is a property of rewriting systems describing which terms in such a system can be rewritten in more than one way.
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Basic
What is confluence?
Back: A property by which two different terms can be further reduced to one common term.
Reference: “Confluence (Abstract Rewriting),” in _Wikipedia_, May 22, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Confluence](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Confluence_(abstract_rewriting)&oldid=1225041322).
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Basic
How might $(11 + 9) \times (2 + 4)$ be reduced to demonstrate confluence?
Back: As $20 \times (2 + 4)$ and as $(11 + 9) \times 6$.
Reference: “Confluence (Abstract Rewriting),” in _Wikipedia_, May 22, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Confluence](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Confluence_(abstract_rewriting)&oldid=1225041322).
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How might $(\lambda x. (\lambda y. yx)z)v$ be reduced to demonstrate confluence?
Back: As $(\lambda y.yv)z$ and as $(\lambda x. zx)v$.
Reference: “Confluence (Abstract Rewriting),” in _Wikipedia_, May 22, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Confluence](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Confluence_(abstract_rewriting)&oldid=1225041322).
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## Bibliography
* “Canonical Form,” in _Wikipedia_, January 7, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canonical_form](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canonical_form&oldid=1194093963).
* “Confluence (Abstract Rewriting),” in _Wikipedia_, May 22, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Confluence](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Confluence_(abstract_rewriting)&oldid=1225041322).
* Normal Form,” in _Wikipedia_, April 27, 2024, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Normal_form](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Normal_form_(abstract_rewriting)&oldid=1221094193).