With a view towards models of quantum computation and/or the interpretation
of linear logic, we define a functional language where all functions are linear
operators by construction. A small step operational semantic (and hence an
interpreter/simulator) is provided for this language in the form of a term
rewrite system. The linear-algebraic lambda-calculus hereby constructed is
linear in a different (yet related) sense to that, say, of the linear
lambda-calculus. These various notions of linearity are discussed in the
context of quantum programming languages. KEYWORDS: quantum lambda-calculus,
linear lambda-calculus, λ-calculus, quantum logics.Comment: LaTeX, 23 pages, 10 figures and the LINEAL language
interpreter/simulator file (see "other formats"). See the more recent
arXiv:quant-ph/061219