Termination Proofs in the Dependency Pair Framework May Induce Multiple Recursive Derivational Complexity

We study the derivational complexity of rewrite systems whose termination is provable in the dependency pair framework using the processors for reduction pairs, dependency graphs, or the subterm criterion. We show that the derivational complexity of such systems is bounded by a multiple recursive function, provided the derivational complexity induced by the employed base techniques is at most multiple recursive. Moreover we show that this upper bound is tight.Comment: 22 pages, extended conference versio

Tyrolean Complexity Tool: Features and Usage

The Tyrolean Complexity Tool, TCT for short, is an open source complexity analyser for term rewrite systems. Our tool TCT features a majority of the known techniques for the automated characterisation of polynomial complexity of rewrite systems and can investigate derivational and runtime complexity, for full and innermost rewriting. This system description outlines features and provides a short introduction to the usage of TCT

A Combination Framework for Complexity

In this paper we present a combination framework for polynomial complexity analysis of term rewrite systems. The framework covers both derivational and runtime complexity analysis. We present generalisations of powerful complexity techniques, notably a generalisation of complexity pairs and (weak) dependency pairs. Finally, we also present a novel technique, called dependency graph decomposition, that in the dependency pair setting greatly increases modularity. We employ the framework in the automated complexity tool TCT. TCT implements a majority of the techniques found in the literature, witnessing that our framework is general enough to capture a very brought setting

A Complexity Preserving Transformation from Jinja Bytecode to Rewrite Systems

We revisit known transformations from Jinja bytecode to rewrite systems from the viewpoint of runtime complexity. Suitably generalising the constructions proposed in the literature, we define an alternative representation of Jinja bytecode (JBC) executions as "computation graphs" from which we obtain a novel representation of JBC executions as "constrained rewrite systems". We prove non-termination and complexity preservation of the transformation. We restrict to well-formed JBC programs that only make use of non-recursive methods and expect tree-shaped objects as input. Our approach allows for simplified correctness proofs and provides a framework for the combination of the computation graph method with standard techniques from static program analysis like for example "reachability analysis".Comment: 36 page

Modular Complexity Analysis for Term Rewriting

All current investigations to analyze the derivational complexity of term rewrite systems are based on a single termination method, possibly preceded by transformations. However, the exclusive use of direct criteria is problematic due to their restricted power. To overcome this limitation the article introduces a modular framework which allows to infer (polynomial) upper bounds on the complexity of term rewrite systems by combining different criteria. Since the fundamental idea is based on relative rewriting, we study how matrix interpretations and match-bounds can be used and extended to measure complexity for relative rewriting, respectively. The modular framework is proved strictly more powerful than the conventional setting. Furthermore, the results have been implemented and experiments show significant gains in power.Comment: 33 pages; Special issue of RTA 201

Polynomial Path Orders: A Maximal Model

This paper is concerned with the automated complexity analysis of term rewrite systems (TRSs for short) and the ramification of these in implicit computational complexity theory (ICC for short). We introduce a novel path order with multiset status, the polynomial path order POP*. Essentially relying on the principle of predicative recursion as proposed by Bellantoni and Cook, its distinct feature is the tight control of resources on compatible TRSs: The (innermost) runtime complexity of compatible TRSs is polynomially bounded. We have implemented the technique, as underpinned by our experimental evidence our approach to the automated runtime complexity analysis is not only feasible, but compared to existing methods incredibly fast. As an application in the context of ICC we provide an order-theoretic characterisation of the polytime computable functions. To be precise, the polytime computable functions are exactly the functions computable by an orthogonal constructor TRS compatible with POP*

Polynomial Path Orders

This paper is concerned with the complexity analysis of constructor term rewrite systems and its ramification in implicit computational complexity. We introduce a path order with multiset status, the polynomial path order POP*, that is applicable in two related, but distinct contexts. On the one hand POP* induces polynomial innermost runtime complexity and hence may serve as a syntactic, and fully automatable, method to analyse the innermost runtime complexity of term rewrite systems. On the other hand POP* provides an order-theoretic characterisation of the polytime computable functions: the polytime computable functions are exactly the functions computable by an orthogonal constructor TRS compatible with POP*.Comment: LMCS version. This article supersedes arXiv:1209.379

The exact hardness of deciding derivational and runtime complexity

For any class C of computable total functions satisfying some mild conditions, we prove that the following decision problems are complete for the existential part of the second level of the arithmetical hierarchy: (A) Deciding whether a term rewriting system (TRS for short) has runtime complexity bounded by a function in C. (B) Deciding whether a TRS has derivational complexity bounded by a function in C. In particular, the problems of deciding whether a TRS has polynomially (exponentially) bounded runtime complexity (respectively derivational complexity) are complete for this level of the arithmetical ierarchy. This places deciding polynomial derivational or runtime complexity of TRSs at the same level as deciding nontermination or nonconfluence of TRSs. We proceed to show that the related problem of deciding for a single computable function f whether a TRS has runtime complexity bounded from above by f is complete for the universal part of the first level of the arithmetical hierarchy. We further prove that analysing the implicit complexity of TRSs is even more difficult: The problem of deciding whether a TRS accepts a language of terms accepted by some TRS with runtime complexity bounded by a function in C is complete for the existential part of the third level of the arithmetical hierarchy. All of our results are easily extended to the notion of minimal complexity (where the length of shortest reductions to normal form is considered) and remain valid under any computable reduction strategy. Finally, all results hold both for unrestricted TRSs and for the class of orthogonal TRSs

12th International Workshop on Termination (WST 2012) : WST 2012, February 19–23, 2012, Obergurgl, Austria / ed. by Georg Moser

This volume contains the proceedings of the 12th International Workshop on Termination (WST 2012), to be held February 19–23, 2012 in Obergurgl, Austria. The goal of the Workshop on Termination is to be a venue for presentation and discussion of all topics in and around termination. In this way, the workshop tries to bridge the gaps between different communities interested and active in research in and around termination. The 12th International Workshop on Termination in Obergurgl continues the successful workshops held in St. Andrews (1993), La Bresse (1995), Ede (1997), Dagstuhl (1999), Utrecht (2001), Valencia (2003), Aachen (2004), Seattle (2006), Paris (2007), Leipzig (2009), and Edinburgh (2010). The 12th International Workshop on Termination did welcome contributions on all aspects of termination and complexity analysis. Contributions from the imperative, constraint, functional, and logic programming communities, and papers investigating applications of complexity or termination (for example in program transformation or theorem proving) were particularly welcome. We did receive 18 submissions which all were accepted. Each paper was assigned two reviewers. In addition to these 18 contributed talks, WST 2012, hosts three invited talks by Alexander Krauss, Martin Hofmann, and Fausto Spoto