Integrating deductive verification and symbolic execution for abstract object creation in dynamic logic

• Published in: Software and systems modeling Vol. 15; no. 4; pp. 1117 - 1140
• Main Authors: de Gouw, Stijn, de Boer, Frank, Ahrendt, Wolfgang, Bubel, Richard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Calculus; Compilers; Computer programs; Computer Science; Dynamic logic; Dynamical systems; Information Systems Applications (incl.Internet); Interpreters; IT in Business; Java (programming language); Mathematical analysis; Object creation; Program logic; Programming Languages; Programming Techniques; Software; Software Engineering; Software Engineering/Programming and Operating Systems; Specification; Theme Section Paper; Theorem proving; Verification; Specification; Verification; Dynamic logic; Object creation; Program logic
• ISSN: 1619-1366; 1619-1374; 1619-1374
• DOI: 10.1007/s10270-014-0446-9

We present a fully abstract weakest precondition calculus and its integration with symbolic execution. Our assertion language allows both specifying and verifying properties of objects at the abstraction level of the programming language, abstracting from a specific implementation of object creation. Objects which are not (yet) created never play any role. The corresponding proof theory is discussed and justified formally by soundness theorems. The usage of the assertion language and proof rules is illustrated with an example of a linked list reachability property. All proof rules presented are fully implemented in a version of the KeY verification system for Java programs.