Properties of Rewriting Systems
Observe that in both of the above rewriting systems, it is possible to get terms rewritten to a "simplest" term, where this term cannot be modified any further from the rules in the rewriting system. Terms which cannot be written any further are called normal forms. The potential existence or uniqueness of normal forms can be used to classify and describe certain rewriting systems. There are rewriting systems which do not have normal forms: a trivial example is the rewriting system on two terms a and b with a → b, b → a.
The property exhibited above where terms can be rewritten regardless of the choice of rewriting rule to obtain the same normal form is known as confluence. The property of confluence is linked with the property of having unique normal forms.
Read more about this topic: Reduction Systems
Famous quotes containing the words properties of, properties and/or systems:
“The reason why men enter into society, is the preservation of their property; and the end why they choose and authorize a legislative, is, that there may be laws made, and rules set, as guards and fences to the properties of all the members of the society: to limit the power, and moderate the dominion, of every part and member of the society.”
—John Locke (1632–1704)
“A drop of water has the properties of the sea, but cannot exhibit a storm. There is beauty of a concert, as well as of a flute; strength of a host, as well as of a hero.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“What is most original in a man’s nature is often that which is most desperate. Thus new systems are forced on the world by men who simply cannot bear the pain of living with what is. Creators care nothing for their systems except that they be unique. If Hitler had been born in Nazi Germany he wouldn’t have been content to enjoy the atmosphere.”
—Leonard Cohen (b. 1934)