Linear Logic
Origin. Girard (1987). Resource-sensitive logic. Formulas as resources, used exactly once. Multiplicative/additive distinction. Foundation for concurrency, quantum, and programming language theory.
Models. Formulas are resources. Use once unless marked reusable. Multiplicatives: tensor ⊗, par ⅋. Additives: with &, plus ⊕. Exponentials: ! (of course), ? (why not). Coherence spaces, phase semantics.
Formalism.
Connectives: Multiplicative conjunction: A ⊗ B (both, independently) Multiplicative disjunction: A ⅋ B (par) Additive conjunction: A & B (external choice) Additive disjunction: A ⊕ B (internal choice) Linear implication: A ⊸ B (consume A, produce B)
Exponentials: !A: unlimited copies of A (of course) ?A: demand for A (why not) !A ⊸ A (dereliction) !A ⊸ !A ⊗ !A (contraction) !A ⊸ 1 (weakening)
Units: 1: multiplicative true ⊥: multiplicative false (dual of 1) ⊤: additive true 0: additive false
Negation: A⊥: linear negation (involutive: A⊥⊥ = A) De Morgan: (A ⊗ B)⊥ = A⊥ ⅋ B⊥
Sequent calculus: ⊢ Γ (one-sided sequents) Formulas as resources in multiset.
Key rules: ⊢ A, Γ ⊢ A⊥, Δ ─────────────────── cut ⊢ Γ, Δ
⊢ A, B, Γ ─────────── ⅋ ⊢ A ⅋ B, Γ
⊢ A, Γ ⊢ B, Δ ───────────────── ⊗ ⊢ A ⊗ B, Γ, Δ
Symbols.
| Symbol | Unicode | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⊗ | U+2297 | Tensor | Multiplicative and |
| ⅋ | U+214B | Par | Multiplicative or |
| & | U+0026 | With | Additive and |
| ⊕ | U+2295 | Plus | Additive or |
| ⊸ | U+22B8 | Lollipop | Linear implication |
| ! | — | Bang | Of course |
| ? | — | Question | Why not |
| ⊥ | U+22A5 | Bottom | Linear false |
Metatheory. Cut elimination. Proof nets for MLL. Phase semantics. Coherence spaces. Geometry of interaction. Decidable (propositional MLL).
Applies to. Concurrency (session types). Quantum computing. Game semantics. Separation logic foundations. Resource management.
Limitations. Complex. Multiple fragments. Exponentials subtle. Learning curve steep.
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