stateprove

Stateprove is a formal verification methodology designed to prove properties of stateful computer systems. It combines elements of model checking and interactive theorem proving to reason about sequences of state transitions and temporal properties, with the aim of establishing correctness guarantees that hold across all possible executions.

The core approach models the system as a labeled transition system or state machine, where states capture program variables and environmental factors. Properties are specified using temporal logic or invariants. Proving correctness typically involves establishing safety properties (that bad states are unreachable) and liveness properties (that desirable states are eventually reached). Techniques such as inductive invariants, refinement, and the use of ghost state to assist proofs are common, and proofs are often built modularly to support scalability.

Tooling and workflow in stateprove workflows include constructing a formal model, annotating it with invariants and contracts, and using a proof engine or SMT solver to discharge obligations. When automation is insufficient, interactive proof steps guide the user through showing correctness. Counterexamples generated by the tooling help locate and understand failing paths. Abstraction and refinement strategies are employed to manage state explosion and to enable compositional reasoning across system components.

Applications of stateprove span hardware verification, critical software, concurrent and distributed protocols, and safety-critical systems where rigorous guarantees are essential. Strengths include stronger correctness assurances, clearer traceability of state changes, and better support for modular development. Limitations involve the required specialized expertise, potential complexity for large systems, and partial automation in challenging domains.

See also model checking, interactive theorem proving, temporal logic, formal verification, and state machines.