Conv.THENC

STRUCTURE

SYNOPSIS

Applies two conversions in sequence.

DESCRIPTION

If the conversion c1 returns |- t = t' when applied to a term ``t``, and c2 returns |- t' = t'' when applied to ``t'``, then the composite conversion (c1 THENC c2) ``t`` returns |- t = t''. That is, (c1 THENC c2) ``t`` has the effect of transforming the term ``t`` first with the conversion c1 and then with the conversion c2.

THENC also handles the possibility that either of its arguments might return the UNCHANGED exception. If the first conversion returns UNCHANGED when applied to its argument, THENC just returns the result of the second conversion applied to the same initial term. If the second conversion raises UNCHANGED (and the first did not), then the result will be the theorem returned by the first conversion. In this way, unnecessary calls to TRANS can be avoided.

FAILURE

(This refers to failure other than by raising UNCHANGED). (c1 THENC c2) ``t`` fails if either the conversion c1 fails when applied to ``t``, or if c1 ``t`` succeeds and returns |- t = t' but c2 fails when applied to ``t'``. (c1 THENC c2) ``t`` may also fail if either of c1 or c2 is not, in fact, a conversion (i.e. a function that maps a term t to a theorem |- t = t').

SEEALSO

UNCHANGED, EVERY_CONV