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Modular Regression Verification for Reactive Systems

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Leveraging Applications of Formal Methods, Verification and Validation: Engineering Principles (ISoLA 2020)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNTCS,volume 12477))

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Abstract

Reactive software is often deployed in long-running systems with high dependability requirements. Despite their safety- and mission-critical use, their functionalities must occasionally be adapted, for example to support new features or regulations. But software evolution bears the risk of introducing new malfunctions. Regression verification helps preventing the introduction of unintended, faulty behaviour.

In this paper we present a novel approach for modular regression verification proofs for reactive systems based on the idea of relational regression verification contracts. The approach allows the decomposition of a larger regression verification proof into smaller proofs on its subcomponents. We embedded the decomposition rule in a new algorithm for regression verification, which orchestrates several light- and heavyweight techniques. We implemented our approach for software used by Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) written in Structured Text (IEC 611131-3) and show the potential of the approach with selected scenarios of a Pick-and-Place-Unit case study.

Research supported by the DFG in Priority Programme SPP1593: Design for Future – Managed Software Evolution (BE 2334/7-2, and UL 433/1-2).

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Notes

  1. 1.

    There are also different execution modes for PLCs (event-driven, continuous, ...) that we do not consider here.

  2. 2.

    The program transformation introduces a new input and output variable for each global variable, which occurs in the frame. The global variable is assigned to the input variable at the beginning of the frame. The effect of the frame on a global variable is captured in the output variable, which is assigned to global variable after the frame.

  3. 3.

    http://formal.iti.kit.edu/isola20.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Alexander Weigl, Mattias Ulbrich & Daniel Lentzsch

Authors
  1. Alexander Weigl
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  2. Mattias Ulbrich
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  3. Daniel Lentzsch
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexander Weigl .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Limerick and Lero, Limerick, Ireland

    Tiziana Margaria

  2. TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany

    Bernhard Steffen

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Weigl, A., Ulbrich, M., Lentzsch, D. (2020). Modular Regression Verification for Reactive Systems. In: Margaria, T., Steffen, B. (eds) Leveraging Applications of Formal Methods, Verification and Validation: Engineering Principles. ISoLA 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12477. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61470-6_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61470-6_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-61469-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-61470-6

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