Abstract. We survey a substantial body of knowledge about lambda calculus and Pure Type Systems, formally developed in a constructive type theory using the LEGO proof system. On lambda calculus, we work up to an abstract, simplified, proof of standardization for beta reduction, that does not mention redex positions or residuals. Then we outline the meta theory of Pure Type Systems, leading to the strengthening lemma. One novelty is our use of named variables for the formalization. Along the way we point out what we feel has been learned about general issues of formalizing mathematics, emphasizing the search for formal definitions that are convenient for formal proof and convincingly represent the intended informal concepts.

The Church–Rosser theorem states that the λ-calculus is confluent under α- and β-reductions. The standard proof of this result is due to Tait and Martin-Löf. In this note, we present an alternative proof based on the notion of acceptable orderings. The technique is easily modified to give confluence of the βη-calculus. 1

Even though the pure λ-calculus consists only of λ-terms, we can represent and manipulate common data

Abstract. The Church–Rosser theorem states that the λ-calculus is confluent under β-reductions. The standard proof of this result is due to Tait and Martin-Löf. In this note, we present an alternative proof based on the notion of acceptable orderings. The technique is easily modified to give confluence of the βη-calculus. Keywords: lambda-calculus, confluence, Church–Rosser theorem