Rewrite rules

Evaluation Order and Infinite Lists - slide 9 : 27

Rewrite rules

The rewrite rules define semantics preserving transformations of expressions

The goal of applying the rewrite rules is normally to reduce an expression to the simplest possible form, called a normal form

Overview of rewrite rules
- Alpha conversion: rewrites a lambda expression
- Beta conversion: rewrites function calls
  - Expresses the idea of substitution, as described by the substitution model
- Eta conversion: rewrites certain lambda expressions to a simpler form