Formal Verification and Testing Based on P Systems

Summary. In this paper it is surveyed the set of formal verification methods and testing approaches utilised for applications based on P systems. P systems (also called membrane systems) represent a class of parallel and distributed computing devices which are inspired by the structure and the functioning of living cells [11], [12]. The model has been used for theoretical investigations as well as a vehicle to represent different problems from various domains [13]. A rich set of software tools have been produced to implement various simulators [7]. As a consequence of using membrane systems to specify, model and simulate various systems, certain methods and techniques have been employed to verify they work properly. Formal methods have been used for various types of systems and using different formalisms. Petri nets based methods have been studied with respect to translating various classes of P systems into this formalism. Tools and techniques developed for Petri nets become available for the description, analysis, and verification of behavioral properties of membrane systems, and in particular for the investigatio