Automatic generation of assumptions for modular verification of software specifications

Abstract

Abstract. Model checking is a powerful automated technique mainly used for the verification of properties of reactive systems. In practice, model checkers are limited due to the state explosion problem. Modular verification based on the assume-guarantee paradigm mitigates this problem using a "divide and conquer" technique. Unfortunately, this approach is not automated, for the reason that the user must specify the environment model. In this paper, a novel technique is presented for automatically generating component assumptions based on the behaviour of the environment (the remainder of components of the systems). In a first phase, the environment of the component is computed using state space exploration techniques, and then the assumptions are generated as association rules of the component environment interface. This approach presents a number of advantages. Firstly, user assistance to specify assumptions is not necessary and assumption discharge is avoided. Secondly, the component assumptions are more restrictive and real, and therefore reduce the resources needed by the model checker. The technique is applied to the specification of a steam boiler system.

Assumptions and their management in software development: A systematic mapping study

“…In the latter case, formal approaches and tools are used to automatically manage assumptions (e.g., assumptions are usually made and documented by such approaches and tools instead of stakeholders). A representative example of such management is assume-guarantee reasoning in system verification (e.g., [31,32,33,34]). On the other side, manual assumptions management refers to manual work by stakeholders.…”

Analysis of a Braking System on the Basis of Structured Analysis Methods

“…For the analysis of the system by the SA-RT method, it represents communication between designers and users of an application [30], [31], [32]. The SART models make it possible to express the wishes and needs of the user by removing the ambiguities of everyday language.…”