FINABIS | Finite-state abstractions of infinite-state systems

Summary
The algorithmic analysis of infinite-state systems is a central topic
of theoretical computer science that is part of a popular approach to
software verification. While analyzing infinite-state systems is
indispensable when verifying software, finite-state sytems are far
better understood and permit much more efficient analysis. In this
project, I will pursue fundamental questions that arise when we want
to abstract infinite-state systems by finite-state systems. The goal
is to understand two types of problems:

1. Separability problems: Given two infinite-state systems, can we
find a finite-state overapproximation of the first system whose
behaviors are disjoint from those of the second system? Separability
is a basic task for synthesizing certificates for disjointness and
therefore safety properties in concurrent systems.

2. Closure computation. There are several non-constructive results
that guarantee the existence of finite-state overapproximations of
infinite-state systems that preserve some particular information. We
are interested in how to compute these overapproximations effectively
and efficiently. Examples include downward closures and upward
closures with respect to the (scattered) subword ordering. Efficient
procedures for closure computation would have immediate implications
for infinite-state verification tasks that combine recursion with
concurrency.


In addition to directly attacking well-known deep open problems
regarding these fundamental questions, the project will also develop
methods that will likely be crucial for resolving further major open
problems in infinite-state systems. Moreover, the obtained results
would have immediate implications for software verification in
settings that combine recursion with concurrency, which is a
notoriously difficult task.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101077902
Start date: 01-01-2023
End date: 31-12-2027
Total budget - Public funding: 1 482 500,00 Euro - 1 482 500,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

The algorithmic analysis of infinite-state systems is a central topic
of theoretical computer science that is part of a popular approach to
software verification. While analyzing infinite-state systems is
indispensable when verifying software, finite-state sytems are far
better understood and permit much more efficient analysis. In this
project, I will pursue fundamental questions that arise when we want
to abstract infinite-state systems by finite-state systems. The goal
is to understand two types of problems:

1. Separability problems: Given two infinite-state systems, can we
find a finite-state overapproximation of the first system whose
behaviors are disjoint from those of the second system? Separability
is a basic task for synthesizing certificates for disjointness and
therefore safety properties in concurrent systems.

2. Closure computation. There are several non-constructive results
that guarantee the existence of finite-state overapproximations of
infinite-state systems that preserve some particular information. We
are interested in how to compute these overapproximations effectively
and efficiently. Examples include downward closures and upward
closures with respect to the (scattered) subword ordering. Efficient
procedures for closure computation would have immediate implications
for infinite-state verification tasks that combine recursion with
concurrency.


In addition to directly attacking well-known deep open problems
regarding these fundamental questions, the project will also develop
methods that will likely be crucial for resolving further major open
problems in infinite-state systems. Moreover, the obtained results
would have immediate implications for software verification in
settings that combine recursion with concurrency, which is a
notoriously difficult task.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

ERC-2022-STG

Update Date

09-02-2023
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
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EU-Programme-Call
Horizon Europe
HORIZON.1 Excellent Science
HORIZON.1.1 European Research Council (ERC)
HORIZON.1.1.0 Cross-cutting call topics
ERC-2022-STG ERC STARTING GRANTS
HORIZON.1.1.1 Frontier science
ERC-2022-STG ERC STARTING GRANTS