theory In
lambda-calculus and
reduction, the renaming of a formal parameter in a
lambda abstraction. This does not change the meaning of the abstraction. For example:
\ x . x+1 \ y . y+1
If the
actual argument to a lambda abstraction contains instances of the abstraction's formal parameter then it is necessary to rename the parameter before applying the abstraction to avoid
name capture.
(1995-05-10)