Formal methods allow one to model critical requirements precisely and to certify with mathematical rigor that such requirements are met by a system. For applying formal methods to real world problems, tool support is essential. This lab course introduces how to use the Isabelle/HOL tool that is one of the internationally leading tools. Formal models of increasing conceptual complexity will be defined in Isabelle's higher-order logic, so that Isabelle's semi-automatic verification engine may subsequently be used to verify the desired properties. The topics covered by this course include:

  • techniques for modeling systems in higher-order logic,
  • techniques for specifying desired systems properties,
  • design of formal models for systems,
  • evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of a chosen model,
  • techniques for conducting semi-automatic proofs in Isabelle/HOL.


Prerequisites

Knowledge of Computer Science and Mathematics, equivalent to the first four semesters in the Computer Science Bachelor program, in particular ability to work with formal languages and calculi, and knowledge of propositional and predicate logic.