Search

The Circus specification language combines elements for complex data and behavior specifications, using an integration of Z and CSP with a refinement calculus. Its semantics is based on Hoare and He's unifying theories of programming (UTP). We develop a machine-checked, formal semantics based on a "shallow embedding" of Circus in Isabelle/UTP (our semantic theory of UTP based on Isabelle/HOL). We derive proof rules from this semantics and implement tactic support that finally allows for proofs of refinement for Circus processes (involving both data and behavioral aspects). This proof environment supports a syntax for the semantic definitions which is close to textbook presentations of Circus.

In this paper, we present various extensions of Isabelle/HOL by theories that are essential for several formal methods. First, we explain how we have developed an Isabelle/HOL theory for a part of the Unifying Theories of Programming (UTP). It contains the theories of alphabetized relations and designs. Then we explain how we have encoded first the theory of reactive processes and then the UTP theory for CSP. Our work takes advantage of the rich existing logical core of HOL. Our extension contains the proofs for most of the lemmas and theorems presented in the UTP book. Our goal is to propose a framework that will allow us to deal with formal methods that are semantically based, partly or totally, on UTP, for instance CSP and Circus. The theories presented here will allow us to make proofs about such specifications and to apply verified transformations on them, with the objective of assisting refinement and test generation.