Syntax for free: representing syntax with binding using parametricity

Atkey, Robert; Curien, Pierre-Louis, ed. (2009) Syntax for free: representing syntax with binding using parametricity. In: Typed Lambda Calculi and Applications, 9th International Conference, TLCA 2009. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 5608 . Springer, pp. 35-49. ISBN 978-3-642-02272-2 (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02273-9_5)

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Abstract

We show that, in a parametric model of polymorphism, the type ∀ α. ((α → α) → α) → (α → α → α) → α is isomorphic to closed de Bruijn terms. That is, the type of closed higher-order abstract syntax terms is isomorphic to a concrete representation. To demonstrate the proof we have constructed a model of parametric polymorphism inside the Coq proof assistant. The proof of the theorem requires parametricity over Kripke relations. We also investigate some variants of this representation.