+The syntax of terms (and types) is the one of the λ-calculus CIC
+on which Matita is based. The main syntactical difference w.r.t.
+the usual mathematical notation is the function application, written
+`(f x y)` in place of `f(x,y)`.
+
+Pressing `F1` opens the Matita manual.
+
+CIC (as [implemented in Matita][3]) in a nutshell
+-------------------------------------------------
+
+CIC is a full and functional Pure Type System (all products do exist,
+and their sort is is determined by the target) with an impredicative sort
+Prop and a predicative sort Type. It features both dependent types and
+polymorphism like the [Calculus of Constructions][4]. Proofs and terms share
+the same syntax, and they can occur in types.
+
+The environment used for in the typing judgement can be populated with
+well typed definitions or theorems, (co)inductive types validating positivity
+conditions and recursive functions provably total by simple syntactical
+analysis (recursive calls are allowed only on structurally smaller subterms).
+Co-recursive
+functions can be defined as well, and must satisfy the dual condition, i.e.
+performing the recursive call only after having generated a constructor (a piece
+of output).
+
+The CIC λ-calculus is equipped with a pattern matching construct (match) on inductive
+types defined in the environment. This construct, together with the possibility to
+definable total recursive functions, allows to define eliminators (or constructors)
+for (co)inductive types. The λ-calculus is also equipped with explicitly typed
+local definitions (let in) that in the degenerate case work as casts (i.e.
+the type annotation `(t : T)` is implemented as `let x : T ≝ t in x`).
+
+Types are compare up to conversion. Since types may depend on terms, conversion
+involves β-reduction, δ-reduction (definition unfolding), ζ-reduction (local
+definition unfolding), ι-reduction (pattern matching simplification),
+μ-reduction (recursive function computation) and ν-reduction (co-fixpoint
+computation).