Lean Tutorial ============= Introduction ------------ Lean is an automatic and interactive theorem prover. It can be used to create specifications, build mathematical libraries, and solve constraints. In this tutorial, we introduce basic concepts, the logic used in Lean, and the main commands. Getting started --------------- We can use Lean in interactive or batch mode. The following example just displays the message `hello world`. ```lean print "hello world" ``` All we have to do to run your first example is to call the `lean` executable with the name of the text file that contains the command above. If you saved the above command in the file `hello.lean`, then you just have to execute lean hello.lean As a more complex example, the next example defines a function that doubles the input value, and then evaluates it on different values. ```lean -- defines the double function definition double (x : Nat) := x + x eval double 10 eval double 2 eval double 3 > 4 ``` Basics ------ We can also view Lean as a suite of tools for evaluating and processing expressions representing terms, definitions, and theorems. Every expression has a unique type in Lean. The command `check` returns the type of a given expression. ```lean check double 3 check double ``` The last command returns `Nat → Nat`. That is, the type of double is a function from `Nat` to `Nat`, where `Nat` is the type of the natural numbers. The command `import` loads existing libraries and extensions. The following command imports the command `find` that searches the Lean environment using regular expressions ```lean import find find "Nat" -- find all object that start with the prefix Nat check Nat::ge -- display the signature of the Nat::ge definition ``` We say `Nat::ge` is a hierarchical name comprised of two parts: `Nat` and `ge` The command `using` creates aliases based on a given prefix. For example, the following command creates aliases for all objects starting with `Nat` ```lean using Nat check ge -- display the signature of the Nat::ge definition ``` The command `variable` assigns a type to an identifier. The following command postulates/assumes that `n`, `m` and `o` have type `Nat`. ```lean variable n : Nat variable m : Nat variable o : Nat ``` The command `variables n m o : Nat` can be used a shorthand for the three commands above. In Lean, proofs are also expressions, and all functionality provided for manipulating expressions is also available for manipulating proofs. For example, `refl n` is a proof for `n = n`. In Lean, `refl` is the reflexivity axiom. ```lean check refl n ``` The command `axiom` postulates that a given proposition (aka Boolean formula) is true. The following commands postulate two axioms `Ax1` and `Ax2` that state that `n = m` and `m = o`. ```lean axiom Ax1 : n = m axiom Ax2 : m = o ``` `Ax1` and `Ax2` are not just names. For example, `trans Ax1 Ax2` is a proof that `n = o`, where `trans` is the transitivity axiom. ```lean check trans Ax1 Ax2 ``` The expression `trans Ax1 Ax2` is just a function application like any other. Moreover, in Lean, _propositions are types_. Any Boolean expression `P` can be used as a type. The elements of type `P` can be viewed as the proofs of `P`. Moreover, in Lean, _proof checking is type checking_. For example, the Lean type checker will reject the type incorrect term `trans Ax2 Ax1`. Because we use _proposition as types_, we must support _empty types_. For example, the type `false` must be empty, since we don't have a proof for `false`. Most systems based on the _propositions as types_ paradigm are based on constructive logic. Lean on the other hand is based on classical logic. The _excluded middle_ is a theorem in Lean, and `em p` is a proof for `p ∨ ¬ p`. ```lean variable p : Bool check em p ``` The commands `axiom` and `variable` are essentially the same command. We provide both just to make Lean files more readable. We encourage users to use `axiom` only for propostions, and `variable` for everything else. Similarly, a theorem is just a definition. The following command defines a new theorem called `nat_trans3` ```lean theorem nat_trans3 (a b c d : Nat) (H1 : a = b) (H2 : c = b) (H3 : c = d) : a = d := trans (trans H1 (symm H2)) H3 ``` The theorem `nat_trans3` has 7 parameters, it takes for natural numbers `a`, `b`, `c` and `d`, and three proofs showing that `a = b`, `c = b` and `c = d`, and returns a proof that `a = d`. In the example above, `symm` is the symmetry theorem. Now, we use `nat_trans3` in a simple example. ```lean variables x y z w : Nat axiom Hxy : x = y axiom Hzy : z = y axiom Hzw : z = w check nat_trans3 x y z w Hxy Hzy Hzw ``` The theorem `nat_trans3` is somewhat inconvenient to use because it has 7 parameters. However, the first four parameters can be inferred from the last 3. We can use `_` as placeholder that instructs Lean to synthesize this expression. The synthesis process is based on type inference, and it is the most basic forms of automation provided by Lean. ```lean check nat_trans3 _ _ _ _ Hxy Hzy Hzw ``` Lean also supports _implicit arguments_. We mark implicit arguments using curly braces instead of parenthesis. In the following example, we define the theorem `nat_trans3i` using implicit arguments. ```lean theorem nat_trans3i {a b c d : Nat} (H1 : a = b) (H2 : c = b) (H3 : c = d) : a = d := trans (trans H1 (symm H2)) H3 ``` It is identical to `nat_trans3`, the only difference is the use of curly braces. Lean will (try to) infer the implicit arguments. The idea behind implicit arguments is quite simple, we are just instructing Lean to automatically insert the placeholders `_` for us. ```lean check nat_trans3i Hxy Hzy Hzw ``` Sometimes, Lean will not be able to infer the parameters automatically. So, whenever we define a theorem/definition/axiom/variable containing implicit arguments, Lean will automatically create an _explicit_ version where all parameters are explicit. The explicit version uses the same name with a `@` prefix. ```lean check @nat_trans3i ``` The axiom `refl`, and the theorems `trans` and `symm` all have implicit arguments. ```lean check @refl check @trans check @symm ``` We can also instruct Lean to display all implicit arguments when it prints expressions. This is useful when debugging non-trivial problems. ```lean set_option pp::implicit true -- show implicit arguments check nat_trans3i Hxy Hzy Hzw set_option pp::implicit false -- hide implicit arguments ``` In the previous example, the `check` command stated that `nat_trans3i Hxy Hzy Hzw` has type `@eq ℕ x w`. The expression `x = w` is just notational convenience. We have seen many occurrences of `TypeU`. It is just a definition for: `(Type U)`, where `U` is a _universe variable_. In Lean, the type of `Nat` and `Bool` is `Type`. ```lean check Nat check Bool ``` We say `Type` is the type of all _small_ types, but what is the type of `Type`? ```lean check Type ``` Lean returns `(Type 1)`. Similarly, the type of `(Type 1)` is `(Type 2)`. In Lean, we also have _universe cumulativity_. That is, we can provide an element of type `(Type i)` where an element of type `(Type j)` is expected when `i ≤ j`. This makes the system more convenient to use. Otherwise, we would need a reflexivity axiom for `Type` (i.e., `(Type 0)`), `Type 1`, `Type 2`, etc. Universe cumulativity improves usability, but it is not enough because we would still have the question: how big should `i` be? Moreover, if we choose an `i` that is not big enough we have to go back and correct all libraries. This is not satisfactory and not modular. So, in Lean, we allow user to declare _universe variables_ and simple constraints between them. The Lean kernel defines one universe variable `U`, and states that `U ≥ 1` using the command `universe U ≥ 1`. The Lean type casting library defines another universe variable called `M` and states that `universe M ≥ 1` and `universe M ≥ U + 1`. Lean reports an universe inconsistency if the universe constraints are inconsistent. For example, it will return an error if execute the command `universe M ≥ U`. We can view universe variables as placeholders, and we can always solve the universe constraints and find and assignment for the universe variables used in our developments. This assignment allows us to produce a Lean specification that is not based on this particular feature. Propositional logic ------------------- To manipulate formulas with a richer logical structure, it is important to master the notation Lean uses for building composite logical expressions out of basic formulas using _logical connectives_. The logical connectives (`and`, `or`, `not`, etc) are defined in the Lean [kernel](../../src/builtin/kernel.lean). The kernel also defines notational convention for rewriting formulas in a natural way. Here is a table showing the notation for the so called propositional (or Boolean) connectives. | Ascii | Ascii alt. | Unicode | Definition | |-------|--------------|---------|--------------| | true | | ⊤ | true | | false | | ⊥ | false | | not | | ¬ | not | | /\ | && | ∧ | and | | \/ | || | ∨ | or | | -> | | → | implies | | <-> | | ↔ | iff | `true` and `false` are logical constants to denote the true and false propositions. Logical negation is a unary operator just like arithmetical negation on numbers. The other connectives are all binary operators. The meaning of the operators is the usual one. The table above makes clear that Lean supports unicode characters. We can use Ascii or/and unicode versions. Here is a simple example using the connectives above. ```lean variable q : Bool check p → q → p ∧ q check ¬ p → p ↔ false check p ∨ q → q ∨ p -- Ascii version check p -> q -> p && q check not p -> p <-> false check p || q -> q \/ p ``` Depending on the platform, Lean uses unicode characters by default when printing expressions. The following commands can be used to change this behavior. ```lean set_option pp::unicode false check p → q → p ∧ q set_option pp::unicode true check p → q → p ∧ q ``` Note that, it may seem that the symbols `->` and `→` are overloaded, and Lean uses them to represent Boolean implication and the type of functions. Actually, they are not overloaded, they are the same symbols. In Lean, the Boolean `p → q` expression is also the type of the functions that given a proof for `p`, returns a proof for `q`. This is very convenient for writing proofs. ```lean -- Hpq is a function that takes a proof for p and returns a proof for q axiom Hpq : p → q -- Hq is a proof/certificate for p axiom Hp : p -- The expression Hpq Hp is a proof/certificate for q check Hpq Hp ``` In composite expressions, the precedences of the various binary connectives are in order of the above table, with `and` being the strongest and `iff` the weakest. For example, `a ∧ b → c ∨ d ∧ e` means `(a ∧ b) → (c ∨ (d ∧ e))`. All of them are right-associative. So, `p ∧ q ∧ r` means `p ∧ (q ∧ r)`. The actual precedence and fixity of all logical connectives is defined in the Lean [kernel definition file](../../src/builtin/kernel.lean). Finally, `not`, `and`, `or` and `iff` are the actual names used when defining the Boolean connectives. They can be used as any other function. ```lean check and check or check not ``` Lean supports _currying_ `and true` is a function from `Bool` to `Bool`. ```lean check and true definition id := and true eval id true eval id false ``` Functions --------- There are many variable-binding constructs in mathematics. Lean expresses all of them using just one _abstraction_, which is a converse operation to function application. Given a variable `x`, a type `A`, and a term `t` that may or may not contain `x`, one can construct the so-called _lambda abstraction_ `fun x : A, t`, or using unicode notation `λ x : A, t`. Here is some simple examples. ```lean check fun x : Nat, x + 1 check fun x y : Nat, x + 2 * y check fun x y : Bool, not (x ∧ y) check λ x : Nat, x + 1 check λ (x : Nat) (p : Bool), x = 0 ∨ p ``` In many cases, Lean can automatically infer the type of the variable. Actually, In all examples above, the type can be automatically inferred. ```lean check fun x, x + 1 check fun x y, x + 2 * y check fun x y, not (x ∧ y) check λ x, x + 1 check λ x p, x = 0 ∨ p ``` However, Lean will complain that it cannot infer the type of the variable in `fun x, x` because any type would work in this example. The following example shows how to use lambda abstractions in function applications ```lean eval (fun x y, x + 2 * y) 1 eval (fun x y, x + 2 * y) 1 2 eval (fun x y, not (x ∧ y)) true false ``` Lambda abstractions are also used to create proofs for propositions of the form `A → B`. This should be natural since Lean views `A → B` as the type of functions that given a proof for `A` returns a proof for `B`. For example, a proof for `p → p` is just `fun H : p, H` (the identity function). ```lean check fun H : p, H ``` Definitional equality --------------------- Recall that the command `eval t` computes a normal form for the term `t`. In Lean, we say two terms are _definitionally equal_ if the have the same normal proof. For example, the terms `(λ x : Nat, x + 1) a` and `a + 1` are definitionally equal. The Lean type/proof checker uses the normalizer/evaluator when checking types/proofs. So, we can prove that two definitionally equal terms are equal using just `refl`. Here is a simple example. ```lean theorem def_eq_th (a : Nat) : ((λ x : Nat, x + 1) a) = a + 1 := refl (a+1) ``` Provable equality ----------------- In the previous examples, we have used `nat_trans3 x y z w Hxy Hzy Hzw` to show that `x = w`. In this case, `x` and `w` are not definitionally equal, but they are provably equal in the environment that contains `nat_trans3` and axioms `Hxy`, `Hzy` and `Hzw`. Proving ------- The Lean kernel contains basic theorems for creating proof terms. The basic theorems are useful for creating manual proofs. The are also the basic building blocks used by all automated proof engines available in Lean. The theorems can be broken into three different categories: introduction, elimination, and rewriting. First, we cover the introduction and elimination theorems for the basic Boolean connectives. ### And (conjuction) The expression `and_intro H1 H2` creates a proof for `a ∧ b` using proofs `H1 : a` and `H2 : b`. We say `and_intro` is the _and-introduction_ operation. In the following example we use `and_intro` for creating a proof for `p → q → p ∧ q`. ```lean check fun (Hp : p) (Hq : q), and_intro Hp Hq ``` The expression `and_eliml H` creates a proof `a` from a proof `H : a ∧ b`. Similarly `and_elimr H` is a proof for `b`. We say they are the _left/right and-elimination_. ```lean -- Proof for p ∧ q → p check fun H : p ∧ q, and_eliml H -- Proof for p ∧ q → q check fun H : p ∧ q, and_elimr H ``` Now, we prove `p ∧ q → q ∧ p` with the following simple proof term. ```lean check fun H : p ∧ q, and_intro (and_elimr H) (and_eliml H) ``` Note that the proof term is very similar to a function that just swaps the elements of a pair. ### Or (disjuction) The expression `or_introl H1 b` creates a proof for `a ∨ b` using a proof `H1 : a`. Similarly, `or_intror a H2` creates a proof for `a ∨ b` using a proof `H2 : b`. We say they are the _left/right or-introduction_. ```lean -- Proof for p → p ∨ q check fun H : p, or_introl H q -- Proof for q → p ∨ q check fun H : q, or_intror p H ``` The or-elimination rule is slightly more complicated. The basic idea is the following, we can prove `c` from `a ∨ b`, by showing we can prove `c` by assuming `a` or by assuming `b`. It is essentially a proof by cases. `or_elim Hab Hac Hbc` takes three arguments `Hab : a ∨ b`, `Hac : a → c` and `Hbc : b → c` and produces a proof for `c`. In the following example, we use `or_elim` to prove that `p v q → q ∨ p`. ```lean check fun H : p ∨ q, or_elim H (fun Hp : p, or_intror q Hp) (fun Hq : q, or_introl Hq p) ``` ### Not (negation) `not_intro H` produces a proof for `¬ a` from `H : a → false`. That is, we obtain `¬ a` if we can derive `false` from `a`. The expression `absurd_elim b Ha Hna` produces a proof for `b` from `Ha : a` and `Hna : ¬ a`. That is, we can deduce anything if we have `a` and `¬ a`. We now use `not_intro` and `absurd_elim` to produce a proof term for `(a → b) → ¬ b → ¬ a` ```lean variables a b : Bool check fun (Hab : a → b) (Hnb : ¬ b), not_intro (fun Ha : a, absurd_elim false (Hab Ha) Hnb) ``` Here is the proof term for `¬ a → b → (b → a) → c` ```lean variable c : Bool check fun (Hna : ¬ a) (Hb : b) (Hba : b → a), absurd_elim c (Hba Hb) Hna ``` ### Iff (if-and-only-if) The expression `iff_intro H1 H2` produces a proof for `a ↔ b` from `H1 : a → b` and `H2 : b → a`. `iff_eliml H` produces a proof for `a → b` from `H : a ↔ b`. Similarly, `iff_elimr H` produces a proof for `b → a` from `H : a ↔ b`. Note that, in Lean, `a ↔ b` is definitionally equal to `a = b` when `a` and `b` have type `Bool`. Here is the proof term for `a ∧ b ↔ b ∧ a` ```lean check iff_intro (fun H : a ∧ b, and_intro (and_elimr H) (and_eliml H)) (fun H : b ∧ a, and_intro (and_elimr H) (and_eliml H)) ``` ### True and False The expression `trivial` is a proof term for `true`, and `false_elim a H` produces a proof for `a` from `H : false`. Other basic operators used in proof construction are `eqt_intro`, `eqt_elim`, `eqf_intro` and `eqf_elim`. `eqt_intro H` produces a proof for `a ↔ true` from `H : a`. `eqt_elim H` produces a proof for `a` from `H : a ↔ true`. `eqf_intro H` produces a proof for `a ↔ false` from `H : ¬ a`. `eqf_elim H` produces a proof for `¬ a` from `H : a ↔ false`. ```lean check @eqt_intro check @eqt_elim check @eqf_intro check @eqf_elim ``` ### Rewrite rules The Lean kernel also contains many theorems that are meant to be used as rewriting/simplification rules. The conclusion of these theorems is of the form `t = s` or `t ↔ s`. For example, `and_id a` is proof term for `a ∧ a ↔ a`. The Lean simplifier can use these theorems to automatically create proof terms for us. The expression `(by simp [rule-set])` is similar to `_`, but it tells Lean to synthesize the proof term using the simplifier using the rewrite rule set named `[rule-set]`. In the following example, we create a simple rewrite rule set and use it to prove a theorem that would be quite tedious to prove by hand. ```lean -- import module that defines several tactics/strategies including "simp" import tactic -- create a rewrite rule set with name 'simple' rewrite_set simple -- add some theorems to the rewrite rule set 'simple' add_rewrite and_id and_truer and_truel and_comm and_assoc and_left_comm iff_id : simple theorem th1 (a b : Bool) : a ∧ b ∧ true ∧ b ∧ true ∧ b ↔ a ∧ b := (by simp simple) ``` In Lean, we can combine manual and automated proofs in a natural way. We can manually write the proof skeleton and use the `by` construct to invoke automated proof engines like the simplifier for filling the tedious steps. Here is a very simple example. ```lean theorem th2 (a b : Bool) : a ∧ b ↔ b ∧ a := iff_intro (fun H : a ∧ b, (by simp simple)) (fun H : b ∧ a, (by simp simple)) ```