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CS 524 — Program Verification and Synthesis
(dt. Programmverifikation und -synthese)

Level, degree of commitment Specialization module, depends on importing study program
Forms of teaching and learning,
workload		 Lecture (4 SWS), recitation class (2 SWS),
270 hours (90 h attendance, 180 h private study)
Credit points,
formal requirements		 9 CP
Course requirement(s): Successful completion of at least 50 percent of the points from the weekly exercises as well as at least 2 presentations of the tasks.
Examination type: Written or oral examination
Language,
Grading		 English,
The grading is done with 0 to 15 points according to the examination regulations for the degree program M.Sc. Computer Science.
Subject, Origin Computer Science, M.Sc. Computer Science
Duration,
frequency		 One semester,
Alle 3-4 Semester
Person in charge of the module's outline Prof. Dr. H.-Peter Gumm

Contents

Practical verification and synthesis of Scala programs with ''Leon'' and ''Dafny''

and their theoretical backgrounds:

  • Hoare calculus, verification conditions, weakest preconditions
  • Decision procedures (linear arithmetic, abstract data types, quantifier elimination)
  • Combination of decision procedures (Satisfiability modulo theories und Z3)
  • Lambda Calculus and Combinatorial Logic
  • Lambda expressions in Scala and Java
  • Higher order predicate logic
  • Modelling and verification of functional languages (Leon)
  • Program synthesis from specifications

Qualification Goals

Translation is missing, sorry. German original:

Die Studierenden

  • können aktuelle Forschungswerkzeuge einsetzen und anwenden,
  • können neue Einsatzgebiete selbstständig erkunden,
  • können theoretische Hintergründe erarbeiten,
  • können mit Logik höherer Stufe umgehen,
  • können Konzepte der Verifikation und Synthese von Software erläutern,
  • können Anwendung und Grenzen von Entscheidungsverfahren diskutieren,
  • können Theorie und Anwendung des Lambda-Kalküls erläutern

Prerequisites

None. The competences taught in the following modules are recommended: Logic, Object-oriented Programming, Algorithms and Data Structures. Basic knowledge of functional programming (e.g. in Scala, Haskell or Python) is also recommended.


Recommended Reading

  • N. Bjørner et. al.: Program Verification as Satisfiability Modulo Theories
  • R. Blanc et al.: An Overview of the Leon Verification System
  • M. Gordon: Programming Language Theory and its Implementation. Prentice Hall
  • H.P. Gumm: Generating algebraic laws from Imperative Programs TCS 217 (1999).
  • S. Hetzl: Higher-Order Logic (logic.at/staff/hetzl/teaching/hol_2013.pdf)
  • V. Kuncak et al.: Leon Dokumentation: leon.epfl.ch/doc/
  • MicroSoft Research: Z3-guide (rise4fun.com/Z3/tutorial/guide)
  • P. Suter et al.: Satisfiability modulo recursive programs



Please note:

This page describes a module according to the latest valid module guide in Winter semester 2025/26. Most rules valid for a module are not covered by the examination regulations and can therefore be updated on a semesterly basis. The following versions are available in the online module guide:

The module guide contains all modules, independent of the current event offer. Please compare the current course catalogue in Marvin.

The information in this online module guide was created automatically. Legally binding is only the information in the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung). If you notice any discrepancies or errors, we would be grateful for any advice.