COMBINATOR
\kˈɒmbɪnˌe͡ɪtə], \kˈɒmbɪnˌeɪtə], \k_ˈɒ_m_b_ɪ_n_ˌeɪ_t_ə]\
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A function with no free variables. A term iseither a constant, a variable or of the form A B denoting theapplication of term A (a function of one argument) to termB. Juxtaposition associates to the left in the absence ofparentheses. All combinators can be defined from two basiccombinators - S and K. These two and a third, I, are definedthus:S f g x= f x (g x)K x y= xI x= x= S K K xThere is a simple translation between combinatory logic andlambda-calculus. The size of equivalent expressions in thetwo languages are of the same order.Other combinators were added by David Turner in 1979 when heused combinators to implement SASL:B f g x = f (g x)C f g x = f x gS' c f g x = c (f x) (g x)B* c f g x = c (f (g x))C' c f g x = c (f x) gSee fixed point combinator, curried function,supercombinators.
By Denis Howe
Word of the day
Platidiam
- An inorganic water-soluble platinum complex. After undergoing hydrolysis, it reacts DNA produce both intra interstrand crosslinks. These crosslinks appear to impair replication and transcription of DNA. The cytotoxicity cisplatin correlates with cellular arrest in G2 phase cell cycle.