The Milner convention, also known as the Milner-Russell convention, is a method used in logic and mathematics to represent logical formulas and expressions. It was developed by Robin Milner and Bertrand Russell.
The convention provides a standardized way to represent logical formulas using a combination of symbols and parentheses. It helps to eliminate ambiguity and ensures that the intended meaning of the formula is clear.
In the Milner convention, logical formulas are represented using a prefix notation, where the logical connectives (such as conjunction, disjunction, implication) are placed before the arguments they connect. For example, the formula "A and B" would be represented as "∧(A, B)".
The convention also includes rules for representing quantifiers (such as "for all" and "there exists") and variables. It helps to distinguish between bound variables (which are quantified) and free variables (which are not quantified).
Overall, the Milner convention provides a systematic and unambiguous way to represent logical formulas, making it easier to analyze and reason about them in logic and mathematics.