Ranking Templates for Linear Loops

We present a new method for the constraint-based synthesis of termination arguments for linear loop programs based on linear ranking templates. Linear ranking templates are parametrized, well-founded relations such that an assignment to the parameters gives rise to a ranking function. This approach generalizes existing methods and enables us to use templates for many different ranking functions with affine-linear components. We discuss templates for multiphase, piecewise, and lexicographic ranking functions. Because these ranking templates require both strict and non-strict inequalities, we use Motzkin's Transposition Theorem instead of Farkas Lemma to transform the generated $\exists\forall$-constraint into an $\exists$-constraint.Comment: TACAS 201

Computation in Real Closed Infinitesimal and Transcendental Extensions of the Rationals.

Abstract. Recent applications of decision procedures for nonlinear real arithmetic (the theory of real closed fields, or RCF) have presented a need for reasoning not only with polynomials but also with transcendental constants and infinitesimals. In full generality, the algebraic setting for this reasoning consists of real closed transcendental and infinitesimal extensions of the rational numbers. We present a library for computing over these extensions. This library contains many contributions, including a novel combination of Thom’s Lemma and interval arithmetic for representing roots, and provides all core machinery required for building RCF decision procedures. We describe the abstract algebraic setting for computing with such field extensions, present our concrete algorithms and optimizations, and illustrate the library on a collection of examples. 1 Overview and Related Work Decision methods for nonlinear real arithmetic are essential to the formal verification of cyber-physical systems and formalized mathematics. Classically, thes

A Differential Operator Approach to Equational Differential Invariants ⋆ (Invited Paper)

Abstract. Hybrid systems, i.e., dynamical systems combining discrete and continuous dynamics, have a complete axiomatization in differential dynamic logic relative to differential equations. Differential invariants are a natural induction principle for proving properties of the remaining differential equations. We study the equational case of differential invariants using a differential operator view. We relate differential invariants to Lie’s seminal work and explain important structural properties resulting from this view. Finally, we study the connection of differential invariants with partial differential equations in the context of the inverse characteristic method for computing differential invariants.