A Proposal for an Interactive Shell Based on a Typed Lambda Calculus

TL;DR

This paper introduces Favalon, an interactive shell based on typed lambda calculus, enabling seamless integration with typed libraries, customizable syntax, and adaptable type inference for enhanced extensibility and reuse.

Contribution

It presents a novel lambda calculus-based shell with type inference, customizable syntax, and the ability to integrate typed libraries, extending shell capabilities with functional programming principles.

Findings

Favalon supports seamless integration with typed libraries.

The type inference engine is modular and reusable.

Favalon allows extensive customization through user-defined functions.

Abstract

This paper presents Favalon, a functional programming language built on the premise of a lambda calculus for use as an interactive shell replacement. Favalon seamlessly integrates with typed versions of existing libraries and commands using type inference, flexible runtime type metadata, and the same techniques employed by shells to link commands together. Much of Favalon's syntax is customizable via user-defined functions, allowing it to be extended by anyone who is familiar with a command-line shell. Furthermore, Favalon's type inference engine can be separated from its runtime library and easily repurposed for other applications.