資料來源 : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing
well-ordered set
A set with a {total ordering} and no infinite
descending {chains}. A total ordering "<=" satisfies
x <= x
x <= y <= z => x <= z
x <= y <= x => x = y
for all x, y: x <= y or y <= x
In addition, if a set W is well-ordered then all non-empty
subsets A of W have a least element, i.e. there exists x in A
such that for all y in A, x <= y.
{Ordinals} are {isomorphism classes} of {well-ordered sets},
just as {integers} are {isomorphism classes} of finite sets.
(1995-04-19)