User:Hugo Herbelin/BAsummary

Definitions

Boolean algebra has two meanings:

1. A special kind of algebraic structure whose most common models are the two-value domain {0,1}, and the fields of sets. This meaning is also referred to in the discussions as "count noun" meaning, or "object of study" meaning.

2. Boolean algebra, as the elementary algebra of those structure called Boolean algebras. This meaning is also referred to in the discussions as "mass noun", or "non-count noun", or "field of study".

The second meaning itself splits into two submeanings:

2.1. A popular meaning: Boolean algebra is elementary algebra over the Boolean domain as used by engineers

2.2. A mathematical meaning: Boolean algebra is elementary algebra over Boolean algebras in general

Meaning 1 is attested in sources such as Wolfram MathWorld. It is also called Boolean lattice, and it is equivalent, though the formulation different, to the notion of Boolean ring

Meaning 2.1 is attested in sources such as course notes. It is also called Boolean logic (e.g. in Alan Parkes), or Boolean calculus (?).

Meaning 2.2 is attested in sources such as Britannica Encyclopedia, course notes, Boolean algebra and its applications. It is also called Boolean logic (e.g. in Miller et al), or Boolean calculus (apparently in [1]).

Current situation

The following pages are all about defining Boolean algebra, in either one or both of the above meanings.

1. Boolean algebra (structure): meaning 1
2. Boolean algebras canonically defined: meaning 1
3. Introduction to Boolean algebra: meaning 2 (being unclear on whether there is a difference between 2.1 or 2.2) with a section dedicated to meaning 1
4. Boolean logic: related in a fuzzy way to meaning 2
5. Boolean algebra (logic): essentially meaning 2.1
6. Boolean ring: closely related to meaning 1

Proposals

The following different proposals address the reorganization of the list of pages above (note that possible subtopics, such as history, bases, examples, applications are assumed to take their place naturally and are not listed).

Proposal 1 (3 main articles)

1. about meaning 2.2 (Boolean Algebra points here)
2. about meaning 2.1, targeting engineers
3. about meaning 1

all with hatnotes to the 2 other pages

Proposal 2 (2 main articles, making no distinction between meanings 2.1 and 2.2)

1. about meaning 2 (Boolean Algebra points here), contents to be decided by those interested in meaning 2
2. about meaning 1

all with hatnotes to the other page

Proposal 2bis (2 main articles, making no distinction between meanings 2.1 and 2.2, with disambiguation page)

1. disambiguation page (Boolean Algebra points here)
2. about meaning 2, contents to be decided by those interested in meaning 2
3. about meaning 1

with hatnotes to the disambiguation pages

Proposal 3 (3 main articles, nothing about 2.2)

1. about meaning 2.1, higher level (Boolean Algebra points here)
2. about meaning 2.1, targeting high-school audience
3. about meaning 1

all with hatnotes to the 2 other pages

Subsidiary choices

For each proposal:

• Variant S1: Boolean algebra (structure) and Boolean algebras canonically defined merged to meaning 1. Boolean ring remains an independent article with cross-references to the meaning 1 article.
• Variant S2: Boolean algebra (structure), Boolean algebras canonically defined and Boolean ring merged to meaning 1.
• Variant S3: Boolean algebra (structure) merged to 1. Boolean algebras canonically defined merged to meaning 2. Boolean ring remains an independent article with cross-references to the meaning 1 article.
• Variant S4: Boolean algebra (structure) and Boolean ring merged to 1. Boolean algebras canonically defined merged to meaning 2.

For each proposal:

• Variant B1: Boolean algebra (logic) merged to meaning 2.1 (if any)
• Variant B2: Boolean algebra (logic) merged to meaning 2.2 (if any)
• Variant B3: Boolean algebra (logic) merged to meaning 2.1 engineers or high-school level (if any)
• Variant B4: Boolean algebra (logic) merged to meaning 2.1 higher level (if any)

For each proposal:

• Variant L1: Boolean logic redirected to meaning 2.1 (if any)
• Variant L2: Boolean logic redirected to meaning 2.2 (if any)
• Variant L3: Boolean logic redirected to meaning 2.1 engineers or high-school level (if any)
• Variant L4: Boolean logic redirected to meaning 2.1 higher level (if any)

For each proposal:

• Variant I1: Introduction to Boolean algebra dispatched to meanings 2.1 and 2.2 (whatever level they are)
• Variant I2: Introduction to Boolean algebra merged to high-school page only (if any)

For each proposal with main not being the disambiguation page:

• Variant D1: keeping a disambiguation page anyway
• Variant D2: no disambiguation page at all

Note: About the high responsibility of Wikipedia!!