different between formalism vs indexphp

English

Etymology

From formal +? -ism.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?f??m?l?z(?)m/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?f??ml???zm?/

Noun

formalism (countable and uncountable, plural formalisms)

1. Strict adherence to a given form of conduct, practice etc.
2. (computing) One of several alternative computational paradigms for a given theory.
3. (literature) An approach to interpretation and/or evaluation focused on the (usually linguistic) structure of a literary work rather than on the contexts of its origin or reception.
4. (music) The tendency to elevate formal above expressive value in music, as in serialism.
5. (mathematics, physics) A particular mathematical or scientific theory or description of a given state or effect.
   • 2011, Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw, The Quantum Universe, Allen Lane 2011, p. 54:

     Heisenberg seems to have been motivated by his intense annoyance that Schrödinger's more intuitive version of quantum theory was more widely accepted than his own, even though both formalisms led to the same results.

6. (linguistics, computing, mathematics) A formal expression of a grammar; a formal grammar; a set of rules of syntax that, without reference to semantics, determine whether a sequence of symbols is a well-formed sentence in a given formal language.
   • 1986, S. J. L. van Eijndhoven, J. de Graaf, A Mathematical Introduction to Dirac's Formalism, Elsevier (North-Holland), page ix,

     Dirac approaches quantum mechanics by means of a so-called symbolic method, the bracket formalism. Although this formalism has a mathematical flavour, in fact, it is based upon bold claims which lack mathematical foundation.

   • 1992, tuart M. Shieber, Constraint-based Grammar Formalisms, The MIT Press, page 51,

     It is this abstraction that justifies considering these methods as characterizing constraint-based formalisms in general, rather than an individual formalism.

Related terms

• formalist

See also

• formulism

Translations

References

• formalism in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• formalism in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Further reading

• Formal language on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Romanian

Etymology

From French formalisme

Noun

formalism n (uncountable)

1. formalism

Declension