Verifying while loops with invariant relations
by Asma Louhichi; Wided Ghardallou; Khaled Bsaies; Lamia Labed Jilani; Olfa Mraihi; Ali Mili
International Journal of Critical Computer-Based Systems (IJCCBS), Vol. 5, No. 1/2, 2014

Abstract: Traditionally, invariant assertions are used to verify the partial correctness of while loops with respect to pre/post specifications. In this paper we discuss a related but distinct concept, namely invariant relations, and show how invariant relations are a more potent tool in the analysis of while loops: whereas invariant assertions can only be used to prove partial correctness, invariant relations can be used to prove total correctness; also, whereas invariant assertions can only be used to prove correctness, invariant relations can be used to prove correctness and can also be used to prove incorrectness; finally, where traditional studies of loop termination equate termination with iterating a finite number of times, we broaden the definition of termination to also capture the condition that each individual iteration proceeds without raising an exception.

Online publication date: Tue, 21-Oct-2014

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