Type Theory and Formal Proof

Type theory is a fast-evolving field at the crossroads of logic, computer science and mathematics. This gentle step-by-step introduction is ideal for graduate students and researchers who need to understand the ins and outs of the mathematical machinery, the role of logical rules therein, the essential contribution of definitions and the decisive nature of well-structured proofs. The authors begin with untyped lambda calculus and proceed to several fundamental type systems, including the well-known and powerful Calculus of Constructions. The book also covers the essence of proof checking and proof development, and the use of dependent type theory to formalise mathematics. The only prerequisite is a basic knowledge of undergraduate mathematics. Carefully chosen examples illustrate the theory throughout. Each chapter ends with a summary of the content, some historical context, suggestions for further reading and a selection of exercises to help readers familiarise themselves with the material.

Table of Contents

1 Untyped lambda calculus

2 Simply typed lambda calculus

3 Second order typed lambda calculus

4 Types dependent on types

5 Types dependent on terms

6 The Calculus of Constructions

7 The encoding of logical notions in “?C

8 Definitions

9 Extension of “?C with definitions

10 Rules and properties of “?D

11 Flag-style natural deduction in “?D

12 Mathematics in “?D: a first attempt

13 Sets and subsets

14 Numbers and arithmetic in “?D

15 An elaborated example

16 Further perspectives

Book Description

A gentle introduction for graduate students and researchers in the art of formalizing mathematics on the basis of type theory.

About the Authors

Rob Nederpelt was Lecturer in Logic for Computer Science until his retirement. Currently he is a guest researcher in the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.

Herman Geuvers is Professor in Theoretical Informatics at the Radboud University Nijmegen, and Professor in Proving with Computer Assistance at Eindhoven University of Technology, both in The Netherlands.