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Secure Microkernels, State Monads and Scalable Refinement

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Theorem Proving in Higher Order Logics (TPHOLs 2008)

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Abstract

We present a scalable, practical Hoare Logic and refinement calculus for the nondeterministic state monad with exceptions and failure in Isabelle/HOL. The emphasis of this formalisation is on large-scale verification of imperative-style functional programs, rather than expressing monad calculi in full generality. We achieve scalability in two dimensions. The method scales to multiple team members working productively and largely independently on a single proof and also to large programs with large and complex properties.

We report on our experience in applying the techniques in an extensive (100,000 lines of proof) case study—the formal verification of an executable model of the seL4 operating system microkernel.

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Cock, D., Klein, G., Sewell, T. (2008). Secure Microkernels, State Monads and Scalable Refinement. In: Mohamed, O.A., Muñoz, C., Tahar, S. (eds) Theorem Proving in Higher Order Logics. TPHOLs 2008. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 5170. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71067-7_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71067-7_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-71065-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-71067-7

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